How many photos are needed to confirm running a red light?
3 Answers
Three photos captured by electronic cameras are used to determine: A photo of the vehicle crossing the intersection stop line, including the traffic light showing red and the license plate number. A photo of the vehicle completely passing the stop line, including the traffic light showing red and the license plate number. A photo showing the vehicle continuing to move, comparing whether the vehicle's position has changed, including the traffic light showing red and the license plate number. Capturing these three photos can confirm that the vehicle ran a red light. Running a red light is clearly defined in the Road Traffic Safety Law. Article 26 states that traffic signals consist of red, green, and yellow lights. Red means stop, green means go, and yellow serves as a warning. A red light is a traffic signal prohibiting passage. Driving through an intersection when the light is red constitutes the traffic violation of running a red light. Here are some tips to avoid running a red light: Check the arrow light first, then the circular light: There are currently two types of traffic lights: arrow lights and circular lights. When arrow lights are present, check the arrow light first, then the circular light to avoid running a red light. Note: When encountering a circular red light, you can turn right. However, if the right-turn arrow is red, turning right is prohibited and will be penalized as running a red light. Brake in time: When the light turns red, ensure your vehicle does not cross the stop line. If the front wheels accidentally cross, and the rear wheels follow, the electronic camera will capture it, resulting in a penalty for 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. Check the green light countdown: When the green light flashes, if there is a countdown, use it to judge. If there is no countdown, and you are close to the intersection with high speed, you may proceed to avoid running a red light due to late braking. If your speed is low and you are far from the intersection, brake immediately to stop and avoid running a red light. Article 38 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China states: When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to proceed, 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. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from proceeding. At intersections without non-motorized vehicle or pedestrian signals, non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed if they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. Running a red light is not considered illegal in the following situations: Yielding to emergency vehicles: Yielding to ambulances, fire trucks, or other emergency vehicles. If captured by surveillance cameras while yielding, the violation will not be recorded during manual review. Even if recorded, you can apply for reconsideration at the traffic police department. Extreme weather: When visibility is so low that even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights, the evidence photos may be blurry. In such cases, mistakenly running a red light will not be penalized. Emergencies: When transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital, running multiple red lights may be unavoidable. After delivering the patient, provide proof from the hospital or the rescued individual to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violations can be cleared. If possible, calling an ambulance is recommended to avoid accidents caused by running red lights. Traffic police direction: During peak hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at key intersections. Drivers should follow the traffic police's hand signals.
I heard many people are curious about how many photos are needed to count as running a red light. I remember the traffic police department's standard is three photos: the first shows your wheels haven't crossed the stop line when the red light is on, the second captures the moment your car completely crosses the line, and the third shows your car already on the opposite side of the intersection. These photos must clearly display the license plate, red light signal, and specific time to serve as valid evidence. Actually, electronic traffic enforcement has long been intelligent. I've seen some intersections equipped with infrared recognition that can capture clear photos even at night or in the rain. However, some cities are now piloting mobile enforcement vehicles that don't even let small intersections slip by. We really need to pay attention to traffic light changes when driving—even slamming on the brakes is better than running a red light.
Once, while chatting with a friend who works in traffic management, he explained the red light violation capture process in detail. The key evidence consists of three photos: the vehicle in front of the stop line with a red light, the vehicle crossing the stop line, and continuing into the intersection. These three photos form a complete chain of evidence, with none being dispensable. Nowadays, equipment updates quickly, and new cameras can take ten consecutive shots within 0.5 seconds, automatically selecting the clearest three to upload to the system. Enforcement strictness varies by region—in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, even rushing through a yellow light can be captured. If caught, not only will you lose 6 points and be fined 200 yuan, but your insurance premium will also increase the following year. Remember, slowing down in advance when approaching an intersection is the safest approach.
