What are the consequences of running a red light?
4 Answers
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 regulations results in a penalty of 6 points. Running a red light refers to the act 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 26 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Law': Traffic signals consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition of passage, a green light indicates permission to proceed, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 44 states that motor vehicles passing through intersections must comply with traffic signals, signs, markings, or the directions of traffic police. Here are some tips to avoid running a red light: Check the arrow light first, then the circular light: Currently, there are two types of traffic lights: arrow traffic lights and circular traffic lights. When arrow lights are present, drivers should first observe the arrow light and then the circular light to avoid running a red light. Note: When encountering a circular red light, right turns are permitted; however, if the right-turn arrow is red, right turns are prohibited, and violations will be penalized as running a red light. Brake promptly: When the red light is on, ensure the front of the vehicle does not cross the stop line. If the front wheels accidentally cross, and the rear wheels follow, electronic cameras will capture the violation, resulting in a penalty for running a red light. If the front wheels have just crossed the stop line when the light turns red, the vehicle must wait for the green light before proceeding. Check the green light countdown before proceeding: When the green light is flashing, if there is a countdown, use it to judge whether to proceed. If there is no countdown and the vehicle is close to the intersection with sufficient speed, it may proceed to avoid running a red light due to delayed braking. If the speed is low and the vehicle is far from the intersection, brake immediately to stop and avoid running the red light. Article 38 of the 'Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' states the following for motor vehicle and non-motor vehicle traffic signals: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to proceed, 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 proceed. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from proceeding. At intersections without non-motor vehicle or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians must follow the motor vehicle traffic signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed if they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. Running a red light is not considered illegal under the following circumstances: Yielding to emergency vehicles: Yielding to ambulances, fire trucks, or other emergency vehicles. If a violation is captured by surveillance cameras due to yielding, manual review will not record the act as running a red light. Even if recorded, drivers can apply for reconsideration at the traffic police department. Extreme weather: When visibility is extremely low, and even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights. The evidence photos may be blurry, and accidental violations will not be penalized. Emergency situations: Transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital may involve running multiple red lights, quickly exhausting the 12-point limit. After delivering the patient, the driver can present hospital or patient-provided proof to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation records will be cleared. If possible, calling an ambulance is recommended to avoid accidents caused by running red lights. Traffic police direction: During peak hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at key intersections. Drivers must follow the gestures of the traffic police.
I've been driving for almost three years, and running a red light is no fun. If you run a red light and get caught by the electronic eye, you can expect a ticket—usually a 200-yuan fine and 3 points deducted from your license. That’s still on the lighter side; if a traffic officer catches you on the spot, the penalties are even harsher—your license could be suspended or even lead to detention. Your insurance premium will jump by 30% immediately, costing you thousands more over a year. Safety-wise, it’s risky—just a moment of carelessness could cause an accident, hitting pedestrians or other cars. Getting injured or injuring others is bad enough, but the medical bills and compensation are minor compared to the psychological toll. A colleague of mine once ran a red light and rear-ended someone, ending up paying tens of thousands in damages and having his license suspended for three months. Since then, I’ve learned to always check both sides at a red light—never rush that one second.
As someone who often observes traffic by the roadside, the consequences of running a red light can be quite severe. Getting points deducted and fined is the basic penalty, and if you're not careful, you could accumulate 12 points, requiring you to retake the driving test—a nightmare for professional drivers. The safety risks go without saying; running a red light can easily lead to hitting pedestrians or causing accidents, ranging from minor scratches and car repairs to serious injuries or even fatalities, with significant follow-up troubles. I've witnessed several instances where running a red light caused traffic jams and emergency situations, and insurance companies might even refuse to cover the damages if they find out. I advise everyone to be patient while driving, wait for the green light, and not try to save those few seconds.
As an elderly person who enjoys taking walks, running a red light is an absolute nightmare for me. If a car were to suddenly rush through, someone like me who walks slowly would be in great danger—possibly getting hit and even severely injured. The consequences? The driver would be fully responsible, facing fines of several hundred yuan and penalty points, which could affect their record for life. I once witnessed a car run a red light and flip over, terrifying everyone around. Since then, I always take extra steps to stop and wait for the traffic light to stabilize before crossing.
