Three photos captured by electronic cameras are used to determine running a red light: a photo of the vehicle crossing the stop line at the intersection, including the red light and license plate number; a photo of the vehicle completely passing the stop line, including the red light and license plate number; and a photo showing the vehicle continuing to move, by comparing whether the vehicle's position has changed, including the red light and license plate number. Capturing these three photos confirms that the vehicle ran a red light. The act of 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 indicates prohibition of passage, a green light indicates permission to pass, and a yellow light serves as a warning. A red light is a traffic signal prohibiting passage, and if a vehicle passes through an intersection during a red light, it constitutes the traffic violation of running a red light. To avoid running a red light, consider the following tips: 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 an arrow light is 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, if the right-turn arrow is red, you cannot turn right, otherwise you will be penalized for 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 the line and the rear wheels follow, the electronic camera will capture it, and you will be penalized for running a red light. If the front wheels have just crossed the stop line when the light turns red, do not proceed through the intersection; wait for the green light before moving. Check the green light countdown before proceeding: When the green light flashes, 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, you may proceed to avoid running a red light due to untimely braking. If the speed is slow and the vehicle is 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 the following for 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. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from passing. At intersections without non-motor vehicle or pedestrian crossing signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle signal lights. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may pass if they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. Running a red light is not considered a violation under the following circumstances: Extreme weather: When visibility is so low that even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights. In such cases, the photos capturing the violation may be blurry, and if you mistakenly run a red light, traffic police will not penalize you. Emergency situations: When transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital, you may inevitably run multiple red lights, and the 12-point penalty system would be insufficient. After delivering the patient, the citizen can provide proof from the hospital or the person being assisted to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation record will be cleared. If possible, it is best to call an ambulance to avoid traffic accidents caused by running red lights. Police direction: During peak commuting hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at important intersections. Drivers should follow the gestures of the traffic police. Yielding to special vehicles: Yielding to special vehicles such as ambulances or fire trucks. If a violation is captured by surveillance cameras while yielding to such 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.
