If there's no notification within 3 days after running a red light, does it mean there's no issue?
4 Answers
No, after running a red light, the notification message for illegal photo capture usually arrives within 3 to 7 days, and at the latest, within about 13 days. However, some cities now offer "instant electronic police capture alerts," where you can receive a text message notification within 5-10 minutes of being captured. But this notification does not equate to a traffic violation; it merely serves 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 generally do not receive the violation notification immediately. There is a delay, and the duration of this delay can vary. After an electronic camera captures a 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 forwarded to the relevant traffic police personnel for verification. 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. Only then will the vehicle owner receive the corresponding violation notification. After receiving the violation notification, the vehicle owner must go to the local traffic police department where the violation occurred to address the issue within one month before the vehicle's annual inspection. Generally, if a vehicle owner suspects they have committed a violation, they can use 15 days as a benchmark. If no violation notification is received within 15 days, it is likely that no violation was recorded. Methods for querying traffic violations: Traffic violation queries refer to checking motor vehicle violations of traffic regulations via the internet or query terminals. Methods for querying vehicle violations include online vehicle violation websites, phone queries, text message queries, mobile app queries, and offline terminal queries. Online query: You can search for "vehicle violation query" and input your vehicle information to check. Phone query: To inquire about violations, you can call the local 114 (area code + 114) or 12580 for confirmation. Violations can only be processed at the traffic police department where the violation occurred or where the vehicle's license plate was issued. For on-the-spot violations, such as those directly caught by a traffic officer, they must be handled at the location of the violation. Text message query: Open your phone's text message interface; enter "WZ" followed by your license plate number and color in the message body; input 1062650001 as the recipient and click send. Mobile app query: Open the Traffic Management 12123 app, click "More," select "Violation Query," and find any unprocessed violations to resolve them. Offline terminal query: You can visit the local traffic management office and use the self-service query machine to input your license plate number and check recent violation records.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I've personally encountered similar situations. The monitoring system doesn't process red-light violations instantly—it usually takes three to ten days to receive a notification, whether via SMS or app push. This is because the images captured by the cameras first need to be uploaded, followed by backend license plate verification before the warning is issued. Last time I ran a red light, it took a full week before I got the ticket. Don’t assume you're in the clear just because three days pass without notice—the system might still be processing. I recommend directly checking for violations on the 'Traffic Management 12123' app—it’s the most reliable and hassle-free method. Also, processing tends to slow down during peak holiday hours in big cities, so don’t let your guard down and risk a second violation or increased accident risks. Maintaining a habit of regular checks can help avoid unpleasant surprises.
Having worked in vehicle hardware debugging for several years, I'm well-versed in how urban traffic light cameras operate. After capturing violations, those electronic police systems first upload images to cloud servers for AI recognition, followed by manual review to prevent misjudgments, before finally notifying vehicle owners via SMS or email. The entire process typically takes five to seven days, sometimes even two weeks to complete. Three days without notice is far too early—don't mistakenly assume you've dodged a bullet. I've installed my own dashcam and checked the logs; system delays are often caused by network congestion or holiday backlogs. I strongly recommend taking time to check the local traffic police website, while also staying updated on real-time traffic regulation changes to avoid subsequent doubled fines and penalty points. Safe driving shouldn't rely on luck—an extra preventive step can ensure safety.
I personally believe safety is the bottom line. Running a red light can cause accidents at any time, and delayed penalty notices don't mean exemption from punishment. I always remind my novice driver friends to proactively follow up after traffic violations. If there's no notification within three days, promptly check records through online platforms or self-service machines at traffic police stations - don't foolishly wait for notices and fall into a trap. If you're actually caught on camera, the longer you delay, the higher the fine becomes, and it may also lead to demerit points affecting your driver's license. Develop good driving habits - one red light violation might seem minor, but accumulated over time it becomes problematic. Verify and clear records as soon as possible to lift that weight off your mind.
