Does turning left at a straight red light count as running a red light?

[LaSamantha]

Generally speaking, as long as the vehicle is in the left-turn lane, turning left does not count as running a red light. Additional information: 1. Criteria for running a red light: The standard for running a red light is based on three consecutive images. This means capturing the vehicle's license plate crossing the stop line as the first photo, the vehicle passing through the center of the intersection as the second, and the vehicle crossing the opposite stop line as the third. Only when all three images are captured together is it considered running a red light. The new regulations state that running a red light involves crossing the stop line, proceeding past it, and then traversing the entire intersection. 2. Immediate stopping after mistakenly running a red light can avoid penalties: Because traffic cameras capture red-light violations by taking three consecutive photos as evidence, if a vehicle has just crossed the stop line when the light turns red but stops immediately, traffic authorities will not impose a penalty.

[OElaina]

At most intersections, making a left turn when the straight-through signal is red indeed counts as running a red light, as I've learned from years of driving experience. A red light means you must come to a complete stop and cannot proceed in any direction, including left turns, unless there's a dedicated green arrow signal for left turns. Turning left indiscriminately not only risks getting caught by traffic cameras as a violation but also increases the chance of collisions with oncoming vehicles or pedestrians, posing extremely high safety hazards. I've personally witnessed such accidents resulting in severe rear-end collisions. The correct approach is to patiently wait for the green light before turning left, especially at complex urban intersections. Even if you're in a hurry, never take the risk—these rules exist to protect all road users by preventing crossing conflicts. Develop the habit of carefully observing signal changes to ensure safe driving.

[SanNolan]

From a safety perspective, let me tell you that turning left on a red light for straight traffic is absolutely considered running a red light. The red light itself is a stop signal that applies to the entire intersection direction. If you force a left turn, you're violating the right-of-way of oncoming vehicles. When I'm driving, I always handle such situations with caution because one wrong left turn could lead to a side collision, especially in areas with many pedestrians where the consequences could be disastrous. According to traffic rules, you cannot make a left turn without special signals or signs, otherwise you'll face demerit points and fines. In daily driving, I've developed the habit of slowing down to observe traffic light configurations at intersections. If there are arrow signals, I follow their instructions strictly - this significantly reduces accident risks. Remember, driving safety comes first - never sacrifice everyone's safety for the sake of speed.

[DelFernando]

I once experienced a situation where I made a left turn during a straight red light and was caught by an electronic camera, resulting in a fine of 200 yuan and 6 points deducted from my license. It was clearly considered running a red light. At that time, I was a novice and didn't understand the loopholes in the rules. Later, I learned that unless there's an arrow signal or a permissive sign, making a left turn on red is generally illegal. Now, I always pay attention to the signal types at intersections to avoid similar mistakes. The key is to ensure safety before taking action.