Is it possible to run a red light without being caught?

[SanBenjamin]

If there are cameras, they will take photos. Whether it's running a red light while turning left or going straight, it is considered a violation of traffic laws. According to Article 38 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," vehicles must follow traffic signals, including traffic lights, signs, markings, and the directions of traffic police. If both the left-turn and straight signals are green, going straight from the left-turn lane is not allowed. When the left-turn signal is red, running the red light should be penalized. Here are some ways to avoid running a red light: Check the arrow light first, then the round light: There are two types of traffic lights: arrow signals and round signals. If arrow signals are present, check them first before looking at the round light to avoid running a red light. Note: When encountering a round red light, right turns are allowed. However, if the right-turn arrow signal is red, right turns are prohibited, or 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, 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 before proceeding: When the green light flashes, if there is a countdown, use it to judge. If there is no countdown, and the vehicle is close to the intersection with high speed, it may proceed to avoid running the red light due to late braking. If the speed is slow and the vehicle is far from the intersection, brake immediately to avoid running the 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 permitted to proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct 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-motor vehicle or pedestrian signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians must follow the motor vehicle signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed if they do not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. Running a red light is not penalized under the following circumstances: Yielding to emergency vehicles: Yielding to ambulances, fire trucks, or other emergency vehicles. If caught by surveillance cameras while yielding, manual review will not record the violation. Even if recorded, you can apply for reconsideration with the traffic police department. Extreme weather: When visibility is extremely low, and even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights. Blurred evidence photos may result in no penalty for mistakenly running a red light. Emergency situations: When rushing a critically ill patient to the hospital, running multiple red lights may occur. After delivering the patient, obtain proof from the hospital or the rescued person and verify it with the traffic police to clear the violation records. If possible, call an ambulance to avoid accidents caused by running red lights. Traffic police direction: During peak hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at key intersections. Drivers must follow their hand signals. The traffic police department states that according to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," vehicles that have already crossed the stop line when the yellow light flashes may continue. If the yellow light is already on and the vehicle speeds through, it will be considered running a red light if caught.

[McLydia]

I've been driving for over twenty years and have seen many intersections equipped with dedicated electronic eyes or surveillance cameras designed to capture red-light running. While theoretically there might be occasional instances where violations go unnoticed—such as when cameras aren't properly aligned, during severe weather affecting visibility, equipment maintenance periods, or misjudgments due to insufficient lighting at night—modern technology is highly advanced. Most systems now employ high-definition recording and radar sensing with extensive coverage. More importantly, running a red light is extremely dangerous and can easily lead to accidents that endanger lives, so it's not worth taking the risk. In fact, urban centers have nearly full intersection coverage, and even if a violation is occasionally missed, the potential consequences far outweigh any slim chance of getting away with it. My advice is to stay alert while driving, adhere to traffic rules, and prioritize your safety above all else.

[StFinn]

As someone who frequently drives, I think running red lights is extremely unreliable. Nowadays, surveillance cameras are installed very densely, especially on urban main roads. They are triggered by radar or ground induction loops and can basically record vehicle information. However, sometimes the system may have false alarms or brief malfunctions, such as slippery sensors on rainy days or during equipment updates, but the probability is minimal. The key point is that this behavior itself is very dangerous, and once an accident occurs, regret will be too late. From a safety perspective, I advise everyone not to test their luck and to focus on driving properly.

[McCamila]

I remember a friend mentioned recently that he luckily ran a red light at a remote intersection in the suburbs without being caught, because the camera was old and hadn't been updated. But such cases are extremely rare nowadays, as most intersections have been upgraded to smart systems. Running a red light carries too high a risk—not only fines and penalty points, but also potential accidents. When I drive and see a yellow light, I slow down in advance to ensure safe passage. Developing good habits can prevent problems; it's not worth gambling to save a few seconds.