Is Running a Red Light Behind a Large Vehicle Considered a Traffic Violation Under the New Traffic Regulations?
3 Answers
Running a red light behind a large vehicle is considered a traffic violation under the new traffic regulations. At intersections where a large vehicle is ahead, the correct approach is to let the large vehicle move forward first to create enough distance so that you can see the traffic light, rather than following closely and having your view blocked. Many drivers inadvertently run red lights at intersections because their view is obstructed by large vehicles, and since this is not an intentional act, they often believe it should not be considered a violation. In such cases, most people's first reaction is to file an appeal, but the result of the appeal is usually that the original decision is upheld. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, drivers must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. A safe distance not only ensures sufficient braking distance but also provides adequate visibility.
Last time I drove through an intersection following a large truck, I got caught for a traffic violation. I really didn’t expect that to count as running a red light. The traffic rules clearly state that all vehicles must stop behind the stop line when the red light is on, regardless of whether there’s a large vehicle blocking the view. I talked to a friend in the traffic police about this, and he said the electronic eyes now are all high-definition cameras, so even if you’re in the middle of a line of cars, they can clearly capture your license plate. The most critical issue is safety—large trucks accelerate slowly, and if they suddenly brake hard, following too closely makes it easy to rear-end them. Now, when approaching an intersection, I always slow down in advance and keep at least two car lengths away from large trucks. This way, I can clearly see the traffic light and have enough reaction time.
Having driven for over 20 years, I've seen too many drivers getting tickets for following large vehicles. The new traffic regulations don't specifically address running red lights by following other vehicles, but the law has long stipulated that any red-light running is illegal. The key point is that drivers must ensure safe passage conditions and cannot use 'not seeing the light' as an excuse. Once I witnessed a sedan closely following a dump truck through a red light, nearly colliding with a crossing electric bike, which made my palms sweat. I recommend developing the habit of checking the side traffic signals at intersections, such as the countdown timers on pedestrian crossings, which can help determine the status of the main traffic light.
