Is Running a Red Light Captured from Behind?
3 Answers
Running a red light is captured from behind. The determination is made by capturing three photos with an electronic camera: the first photo shows the vehicle crossing the intersection stop line, including the red light and license plate number; the second photo shows the vehicle completely passing the stop line, including the red light and license plate number; the third photo shows the vehicle continuing to move, mainly by comparing the position change from the second photo, including the red light and license plate number. Capturing these three photos can confirm the vehicle ran a red light. Article 26 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law" states that traffic signals consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition of passage, a green light indicates permission to pass, and a yellow light serves as a warning. A red light is a traffic signal prohibiting passage. If a vehicle passes through an intersection during a red light, it constitutes the traffic violation of 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 that motor vehicle signals and non-motor vehicle signals indicate: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to pass, 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 to pass. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from passing. At intersections without non-motor vehicle signals or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may pass if they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. To avoid running a red light, consider the following: First look at the arrow light, then the round light: Currently, there are two types of indicator lights: arrow traffic lights and round indicator traffic lights. When an arrow light is present, first look at the arrow light and then the round light to avoid running a red light. Note: When encountering a round red light, you may turn right; when encountering an arrow signal light with a red right arrow, you cannot turn right, otherwise 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, and it will be penalized as running a red light. If the front wheels have just crossed the stop line when the signal 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, judge accordingly; if there is no countdown, and the vehicle is close to the intersection with high speed, you may pass to avoid running a red light due to untimely braking. If the speed is slow and the vehicle is far from the intersection, brake immediately to avoid running a red light. Running a red light is not illegal in the following situations: Extreme weather: When visibility is very low, and even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights. The photos of the violation may be blurred, and if you mistakenly run a red light, traffic police will not impose penalties. Emergency situations: When rushing a critically ill patient to the hospital, you may run many red lights, and 12 penalty points may not suffice. After delivering the patient, provide proof from the hospital or the rescued person to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation records can be cleared. If possible, call an ambulance to avoid traffic accidents caused by running red lights. Police directing traffic:
As a young person who loves driving, I'm also curious about this issue. Talking about red light cameras, their positions aren't necessarily fixed at the rear for capturing. For example, during my last visit to an urban intersection, I specifically observed that many cameras are mounted high on lamp posts, capturing shots of vehicle roofs or side angles. A friend of mine got caught before, and the ticket photo clearly showed the car's rear and license plate being captured. But according to traffic police officers, the equipment layout varies widely—some places use mobile probes to capture violations from the front or side. The key point is that these devices record your violation moment, including time, location, and speed. When driving, I always remind myself to watch the traffic lights. Don't think you can run a red light just because there might not be a camera—if you get caught, not only will you face fines and points deducted, but it's also extremely dangerous. Following the rules is what matters most, safety comes first.
After years of driving, I've gained some insights about traffic surveillance. The installation positions of red-light cameras generally depend on urban design, commonly seen on poles at intersections or overpasses to capture vehicle behavior. Whether they shoot from behind varies by location. For example, large cities often employ multi-angle shooting that can cover rear license plates, while small towns with simpler equipment might focus more on rear captures. The system triggers automatically when a vehicle crosses the stop line. Remember, the photos taken serve as evidence, and it's common to see the rear of the car in them. But that's not the key point—what matters is stopping properly and waiting for the green light. Running a red light not only results in fines and demerit points but also increases collision risks. I always advise beginners to develop good habits and avoid taking risks to save time.
