Is Running a Red Light Illegal or a Traffic Violation?
1 Answers
Strictly speaking, running a red light is an illegal act. It refers to the behavior of a motor vehicle violating the prohibition of passage during the red light phase at a signal-controlled intersection or road section, crossing the stop line and continuing to drive. According to Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2 of the 'Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations,' driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal lights will result in a 6-point penalty per offense. Running a red light means a motor vehicle violates the prohibition of passage during the red light phase at a signal-controlled intersection or road section, crosses the stop line, and continues to drive. According to Article 26 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Law': Traffic signal lights 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. Article 44 states: Motor vehicles passing through intersections shall proceed according to traffic signal lights, traffic signs, traffic markings, or the direction of traffic police. Here are some tips to avoid running a red light: First look at the arrow light, then the circular light: Currently, there are two types of indicator lights: arrow traffic lights and circular indicator traffic lights. When arrow lights are present, first observe the arrow light and then the circular light to avoid running a red light. Note: When encountering a circular red light, you can turn right; when encountering an arrow signal light where the right-turn arrow is red, 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, passage through the intersection is prohibited; wait for the green light before proceeding. 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 proceed to avoid running a red light due to untimely braking. If the speed is low and the vehicle is far from the intersection, brake immediately to stop and avoid running a red light. Article 38 of the 'Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' states regarding motor vehicle signal lights and non-motor vehicle signal lights: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to pass, but turning vehicles must not hinder the passage of straight-going 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 signal lights or pedestrian crossing signal lights, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians shall follow the motor vehicle signal lights. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may pass if they do not hinder the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. Running a red light is not considered illegal under the following circumstances: Yielding to special vehicles: Yielding to ambulances, fire trucks, and other special vehicles. If captured by surveillance cameras while yielding to special vehicles, manual review will not record the act of running a red light. Even if recorded, you can apply for reconsideration at the traffic police department. Extreme weather: When visibility is so low that even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights. The photos of the violation may be blurry, and if you mistakenly run a red light, the traffic police will not impose penalties. Emergency situations: When rushing a critically ill patient to the hospital, you may run multiple red lights, and 12 points may not be enough. After delivering the patient, provide proof from the hospital or the rescued person to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation record can be cleared. If possible, it's best to call an ambulance to avoid accidents caused by running red lights. Traffic police direction: During rush hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at important intersections. Drivers should follow the gestures of the traffic police.
