Is running a red light captured from the front or the back?
4 Answers
Both front and back are captured. The determination is made by taking three photos via electronic cameras: the first photo shows the vehicle crossing the stop line at the intersection, including the red light and license plate number; the second photo shows the vehicle completely past the stop line, including the red light and license plate number; the third photo shows the vehicle continuing to move, primarily by comparing the position change from the second photo, including the red light and license plate number. Capturing these three photos confirms the vehicle ran a red light. Running a red light is clearly defined in the "Road Traffic Safety Law." Article 26 states that traffic signals consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light prohibits passage, a green light permits passage, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Running a red light is a traffic violation when a vehicle passes through an intersection during a red light. Here are some ways to avoid running a red light: Check the arrow light first, then the circular light: Currently, there are two types of traffic lights: arrow signals and circular signals. If arrow signals are present, check them first, then the circular light to avoid running a red light. Note: When encountering a circular red light, right turns are allowed. However, if the right-turn arrow is red, right turns are prohibited; otherwise, it will be penalized as running a red light. Brake in time: When the light turns red, ensure the front of the car does not cross the stop line. If the front wheels accidentally cross, but the rear wheels do not, 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 light turns red, do not proceed; wait for the green light. Check the green light countdown: If the green light is flashing and there is a countdown, use it to judge whether to proceed. If there is no countdown, and the car is close to the intersection with high speed, it may proceed to avoid running a red light due to delayed braking. If the speed is slow and the car is far from the intersection, brake immediately to avoid 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: 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-motorized or pedestrian signals, non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians must follow the motor vehicle signal. During a red light, 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 captured 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: If visibility is so low that even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic light, the evidence may be blurry, and no penalty will be issued for mistakenly running a red light. Emergency situations: Transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital may involve running multiple red lights. After delivery, provide hospital or patient documentation to the traffic police for verification to clear the violations. If possible, call an ambulance to avoid accidents caused by running red lights. Police direction: During peak hours, traffic police may direct traffic at key intersections. Drivers must follow their hand signals. The traffic police department clarifies 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 during a flashing yellow light may continue. If the yellow light is already on and a driver accelerates to pass, it will be considered running a red light if captured.
I remember last time while waiting at a red light, a traffic police friend next to me told me that nowadays capturing red-light running mainly relies on cameras at intersections facing the front of vehicles. Those devices take three consecutive photos: the first shows the vehicle crossing the stop line during a red light, the second shows the vehicle continuing to drive in the middle of the intersection, and the third shows the vehicle reaching the opposite side of the intersection. All three photos capture the front of the vehicle, ensuring clear identification of the license plate and the driver. Actually, this design is quite reasonable, since the front of the vehicle is the first to rush out when running a red light. Nowadays, some new devices even capture the driver's cabin, so it's essential to develop the habit of slowing down before a red light and never rushing those few seconds.
Last time I went on a long-distance drive, I chatted with a mechanic at a service area about this. He said nowadays, electronic cameras mostly capture the front angle of the car when detecting red light violations because the equipment is installed on poles ahead of the intersection. The method of capturing the rear is rarely used anymore, as the license plate number is often unclear from the back. For a violation to be recorded, several conditions must be met: the vehicle must cross the stop line after the red light turns on, and there must be evidence of the vehicle continuing to move. I later looked it up and found that the process requires three photos to be taken as complete evidence. When driving, it's best to slow down at yellow lights; otherwise, rushing through could easily result in a red light violation, and the fine and points deduction are really not worth it.
I used to think that running a red light was captured by photographing the rear of the car, but later I learned that it's actually the front of the car that's fully photographed. The cameras at intersections are mounted on the opposite side, perfectly positioned to capture the front face and license plate of the vehicle. The key is to photograph the moment the car's wheels cross the stop line while the signal light is red, along with the vehicle's displacement. These devices are extremely sensitive—I've personally seen a car at an intersection rushing through a yellow light that turned red in an instant, and the camera flashed immediately. Nowadays, some city cameras even come with high-definition night vision capabilities, capturing clear images of red-light runners even at night. The safest bet is to always obey traffic rules.
