Is running a yellow light considered running a red light?
3 Answers
Running a yellow light: When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to pass; if the vehicle body has not passed the stop line when the yellow light is on and continues to drive, it is considered running a yellow light, with penalties consistent with running a red light. The yellow light serves as a buffer between the red and green lights, typically lasting 5 to 10 seconds. The moment the yellow light comes on, vehicles that have not yet reached the stop line should slow down and stop, while vehicles that have crossed the stop line should continue driving. The mechanism for capturing red-light violations is as follows: the underground red-light violation capture device is activated three seconds after the red light turns on and is turned off three seconds before the red light ends. Since the capture device is not yet activated when the yellow light comes on, it is not considered running a red light, but it is treated as running a yellow light. Currently, there is no dedicated capture device for running a yellow light; it relies on on-site traffic police and electronic surveillance at intersections.
I've been driving for over 20 years and always make it a habit to slow down and stop at yellow lights. Running a yellow light isn't technically considered running a red light because the yellow is a warning signal, meaning you should prepare to stop rather than rush through. However, if you enter the intersection when the light turns yellow and it changes to red before you exit, traffic cameras might record it as running a red light, leading to points deduction and fines. I once almost got wrongly penalized but fortunately had dashcam footage to prove I didn't run the red. My advice is: when you see a yellow light, brake early to ensure you can stop safely. The risk of rushing through a yellow is too high, especially at busy intersections with heavy traffic and pedestrians—it's easy to cause rear-end collisions or hit pedestrians. Developing this habit not only avoids tickets but also protects others' safety. Driving safety comes first—don't gamble with that one second.
As an ordinary person who frequently studies traffic safety, I believe running a yellow light and running a red light are two different things, but rushing through a yellow light is extremely dangerous. The yellow light is designed to give drivers buffer time to slow down, not to accelerate and sprint. If you haven't exited the intersection when the yellow light turns red, it counts as a violation and may be recorded as running a red light. In reality, many accidents occur during the yellow light phase because some people force their way through, causing rear-end collisions or crashes. My advice is: when encountering a yellow light, silently remind yourself to stop, stop, stop, and maintain a safe following distance. Traffic police will check the specific timing, such as whether you entered the intersection when the light was green or had just turned yellow. In short: drive cautiously to avoid trouble and safety hazards.
