What are the penalties for running a red light?
3 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 lights will result in a deduction 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 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, road markings, or the direction of traffic police. Here are some tips to avoid running a red light: First, observe 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 signal light, you may turn right; when encountering an arrow signal light where the right-turn arrow is red, you must not turn right, otherwise, you will be penalized for running a red light. Brake in time: When the red light turns on, ensure the front of your 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 signal turns red, do not proceed through the intersection; wait for the green light before continuing. Check the countdown on the green light 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 your vehicle is close to the intersection with high speed, you may proceed to avoid running a red light due to untimely braking. If your speed is slow and you are far from the intersection, brake immediately to stop and 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 regarding motor vehicle and non-motor vehicle signal lights: 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.
I've been driving for over a decade, and the penalties for running a red light are no joke—each time you get points deducted and fined. Around here, it's usually 6 points off your license, a fine of a few hundred bucks, and sometimes mandatory safety classes. If you rack up too many points, your license could get suspended, and that's a real hassle. I once knew a friend who rushed through a red light at an intersection—not only did they get fined, but their insurance premiums also shot up, costing them several hundred more a year. Nowadays, with so many cameras on the roads, solid evidence is captured, making it impossible to escape the consequences. So when I'm driving, I always remind myself not to rush, checking how many seconds are left on the signal, and I'd rather wait. Safety comes first—if an accident happens, it's not just about the fine; hurting someone would be something you'd regret forever. Developing the habit of taking it slow is better than anything else.
I'm young and just started learning to drive, but I already know how terrifying running a red light can be. Last month, my friend got caught—he couldn't stop in time at a city intersection and got a ticket with points deducted, costing more than my weekly wage. He said if all his points are gone, his license might be revoked, affecting his job prospects. Nowadays, there are traffic cameras everywhere, snapping violations anytime, and the police are always checking. I think it's best not to rush while driving and pay extra attention to traffic light changes, especially when roads are slippery in the rain, as braking distances increase, making accidents more likely. My driving instructor taught me that running red lights raises the risk of collisions and accidents. It's not worth risking it just to save a few minutes—slow down, observe carefully, and then proceed. I also use my phone's navigation to alert me about traffic lights, which works pretty well.
