Is a Right Turn on Red Light Considered Running a Red Light? How to Handle It?
2 Answers
If there is only a circular red and green traffic signal ahead, without a right-turn arrow indicator, then making a right turn during a red light is not considered running a red light and will not be penalized. Penalty Points for Running a Red Light: According to Article 2, Clause 1, Subclause 2 of the "Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations," driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal lights will result in a deduction of 6 points. Article 3, Clause 1, Subclause 8 states that driving a motor vehicle in violation of prohibition signs or markings will result in a deduction of 3 points. How to Check for Running a Red Light: You can check for running a red light through the "Traffic Management 12123" app. After opening the app, log in with your ID card, find and click on the "Violation Handling" option. Under "Violation Handling," you can see the current status of your vehicle. If there are any violations, the specific details will be displayed. Visit the service halls of traffic police branches in various cities and districts to check using the touch-screen terminals. Log in to the external service websites of the Public Security Traffic Management Bureau of each city: find the "Vehicle Violation Query" section, enter your license plate number and vehicle engine number, and click "Query."
I've been driving in the city for over twenty years. Every time I approach a right turn on red, I immediately slow down and come to a complete stop, looking left and right to ensure there are no pedestrians or vehicles before making a slow turn. Nowadays, many places allow right turns on red unless there's a prohibiting sign; but if the sign clearly states no turn and you force your way through, that's outright running a red light, which will be caught by cameras resulting in a 200-yuan fine and 6 penalty points. For handling fines, my first suggestion is to clarify the reason for the ticket: if the sign was not clearly visible, such as being blocked by a tree, you can directly appeal to the traffic police with photos as evidence; otherwise, just pay the fine and learn your lesson for next time. Developing the habit of careful observation while driving is crucial. When encountering ambiguous intersections, don't rush to turn—slow down, make sure it's clear, and prioritize safety.
