How long does it take to receive a text message after running a red light?
3 Answers
After running a red light, you will generally receive a notification within 3 to 7 days, with the latest being around 13 days. However, some cities have now introduced "instant electronic police capture alerts," where you can receive a text message notification within 5-10 minutes of being captured. But a notification does not necessarily mean a violation; it serves only as a capture alert. The final determination of whether it constitutes a violation takes 3-7 days. If it is indeed a violation, you will receive another text message notification. For traffic violations captured by surveillance cameras, vehicle owners usually do not receive the violation text message immediately. There is a delay, and the duration can vary. This is because after the electronic camera captures the violation, the relevant violation information needs to be transmitted through a dedicated channel to the traffic police management center, where it is compiled and then verified by the relevant traffic police department staff. Once the violation is confirmed, the system automatically retrieves the vehicle owner's phone number based on the license plate information and sends the violation details via text message to the owner. After receiving the violation text message, the vehicle owner must resolve all previous violations within one month before the annual vehicle inspection. Generally, if a vehicle owner suspects a violation, they can use 15 days as a benchmark. If no violation text message is received beyond 15 days, it is likely that no violation was recorded. Traffic Violation Query Methods: Traffic violation queries refer to checking motor vehicle violations of traffic management regulations through online platforms or query terminals. Methods for querying vehicle violations include vehicle violation websites, phone queries, text message queries, mobile app queries, and offline terminal queries. Website Query: You can search for "vehicle violation query" and enter your vehicle information to check. Phone Query: To query violations, you can call the local 114 (area code + 114) or 12580 for confirmation. Violations can only be processed at the location where the violation occurred or where the vehicle's license plate was issued. For on-the-spot violations, such as those directly caught by traffic police, they must be processed at the violation location. Text Message Query: Open your phone's text message interface; enter "WZ" followed by your license plate number and color in the message body; send it to 1062650001. Mobile App Query: Open the Traffic Management 12123 app, click "More," select "Violation Query," find any unprocessed violations, and resolve them. Offline Terminal Query: You can visit the local traffic management hall and use the self-service query machine to enter your license plate number and check recent violation records.
Having driven for over a decade, I can confirm that the timing of receiving SMS notifications after running a red light varies by individual, but it generally takes 1 to 7 days, depending on the local traffic police's review process. Once an electronic police camera captures the violation, the photos are uploaded to the backend, where staff manually verify the license plate number and the violation details to avoid misjudgments. During peak periods, such as after holidays, the process may take longer. When driving, it’s crucial not to rush those few seconds—slow down and observe at intersections, prioritizing safety. Many people worry about point deductions or fines while waiting for notifications, which can affect their mood and insurance premiums, so developing good driving habits is essential. From my experience, once you receive the SMS, act promptly—delaying may lead to additional interest or impact future transactions.
My neighbor just ran a red light and had to wait several days before receiving a text notification—specifically on the fourth day. The whole process was quite agonizing, constantly checking his phone for updates. Nowadays, traffic systems are fully digitized. After being captured by cameras, the data is transmitted back to the center, where reviewers manually verify its legality before issuing notifications. Processing times vary significantly by location, with big cities likely being faster and smaller towns slower. I recommend fellow drivers install the official app to track real-time updates, as it’s far more reliable than text messages. While waiting for notifications, don’t stress too much, but do reflect on why the red light was run—perhaps rushing to work or getting distracted. Always pay closer attention to signal changes and ensure a full stop before proceeding.
