How is running a red light determined?
2 Answers
It is determined by capturing three photos through electronic cameras. The first photo shows the vehicle crossing the stop line at the intersection, including the red light and the license plate number. The second photo shows the vehicle completely passing the stop line, including the red light and the license plate number. The third photo shows the vehicle continuing to move, mainly by comparing the change in the vehicle's position from the second photo, including the red light and the license plate number. Capturing these three photos can determine that the vehicle has run a red light. According to Article 26 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, traffic signals consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition of passage, a green light indicates permission to pass, and a yellow light serves as a warning. A red light is a traffic signal prohibiting passage, and if a vehicle passes through an intersection during a red light, it constitutes the traffic violation of running a red light. The following points can help avoid running a red light: First look at the arrow light, then the circular light: Currently, there are two types of indicator lights: arrow traffic lights and circular indicator traffic lights. When there is an arrow light, first observe the arrow light and then the circular light to avoid running a red light. Note: When encountering a circular red light, you can turn right; when encountering an arrow signal light with a red right-turn arrow, you cannot turn right, otherwise it will be penalized as running a red light. Brake in time: When the red light turns on, do not let the front of the vehicle cross the stop line. If the front wheels accidentally cross and the rear wheels follow, the electronic camera will capture it, and it will be penalized as running a red light. If the front wheels have just crossed the stop line when the light turns red, do not proceed through the intersection; wait for the green light before proceeding. Check the green light countdown before proceeding: When the green light flashes, if there is a countdown, you can judge based on the countdown. If there is no countdown and the vehicle is close to the intersection with high speed, you can proceed to avoid running a red light due to untimely braking. If the speed is slow and the vehicle is far from the intersection, brake immediately to stop and avoid running a red light. Article 38 of the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China states: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to pass, but turning vehicles must not obstruct the passage of straight-moving vehicles or pedestrians. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to pass. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from passing. At intersections without non-motor vehicle or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle signal indications. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may pass if they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. Running a red light is not considered illegal under the following circumstances: Extreme weather: When visibility is very low, and even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights. Photos of the violation may be blurry, and if you accidentally run a red light, traffic police will not impose penalties. Emergency situations: When transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital, you may run many red lights, and 12 points may not be enough. After delivering the patient, provide proof from the hospital or the person being helped to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation record can be cleared. If possible, it is best to call an ambulance to avoid accidents caused by running red lights. Traffic police direction: During peak hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at important intersections. Drivers should follow the gestures of the traffic police. Yielding to special vehicles: Yielding to special vehicles such as ambulances or fire trucks. If captured by surveillance cameras while yielding, the running of the red light will not be recorded during manual review. Even if recorded, you can apply for reconsideration at the traffic police department. The traffic police department states that according to Article 38 of the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, when the yellow light flashes at an intersection, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to pass. If the yellow light is already on and you still rush to pass, it will be considered running a red light if captured.
I drive a lot in my daily life. The determination of running a red light mainly depends on whether the car has crossed the stop line when the red light is on. Nowadays, traffic cameras are incredibly advanced—they automatically take photos as soon as the red light turns on, recording the vehicle's license plate, position, and time. Even slightly crossing the line counts as a violation. Evidence typically includes high-definition photos or videos, with the license plate number clearly visible, ensuring fairness without any ambiguity. A friend of mine once got a ticket for rushing through a yellow light that turned red, claiming they didn’t notice the timing, but the moment was captured in the photo, leaving no room for dispute. Safety comes first—never rush at intersections. It’s not worth the risk and can easily lead to collisions with pedestrians or other vehicles, especially when visibility is poor after rain, requiring extra caution. It’s advisable to slow down in advance and watch for signal changes while driving. Developing good habits can save a lot of trouble.
