What is the definition of running a red light?
4 Answers
Running a red light refers to the act of a motor vehicle violating the prohibition of passage during the red light phase at signal-controlled intersections or road sections, crossing the stop line and continuing to move. 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 pass, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 44 states: Motor vehicles passing through intersections shall proceed according to traffic signals, traffic signs, traffic markings, or the direction of traffic police. Article 2, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations stipulates that driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal lights will result in a penalty of 6 points per violation. Here are some tips to avoid running a red light: Check arrow lights first, then circular lights: Currently, there are two types of signal lights: arrow traffic lights and circular traffic lights. When arrow lights are present, checking the arrow lights first and then the circular lights can help avoid running a red light. Note: When encountering a circular red light, right turns are allowed; when encountering an arrow signal light with a red right-turn arrow, right turns are prohibited, otherwise it will be penalized as running a red light. Brake in time: When the red light turns 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, passage through the intersection is prohibited; wait for the green light before proceeding. Check the countdown on green lights 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, passage is allowed to avoid running a red light due to delayed 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 Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China states 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 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 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 captured by surveillance cameras while yielding, manual review will not record the act as running a red light. Even if recorded, one can apply for reconsideration at the traffic police department. Extreme weather: When visibility is extremely low, making it difficult for electronic police to clearly see the traffic lights. Blurred evidence photos may result in accidental red-light running, for which traffic police will not impose penalties.
Running a red light sounds simple enough—it means a vehicle or pedestrian crosses the stop line into the intersection when the traffic light is red. Having driven for so many years, I’ve seen plenty of drivers speed through red lights, only to cause accidents or get fined. By definition, a red light requires all traffic participants to come to a complete stop and wait until the light turns green before proceeding. If you cross the line during a red light, even just a little, it counts as running the light. Legally, this is called violating traffic signals and will automatically be captured by cameras or penalized by traffic police. The key is understanding why it’s defined this way: stopping at red lights prevents intersection conflicts and keeps everyone safe. If you run red lights every time you’re in a hurry, it could become a bad habit, increasing the likelihood of accidents in the long run. So, developing the good practice of waiting patiently is the safest approach.
When I first started driving, my instructor always reminded me not to run red lights. Simply put, it means a vehicle crosses the starting line of an intersection when the red light is on. This behavior will result in demerit points and fines, such as 6 points deducted and a 200-yuan fine in most major cities. Even worse, if it causes an accident, you'll bear full responsibility and may face legal consequences. I remember once when the light turned yellow, I almost rushed through, but fortunately, I braked in time to avoid danger. It's important to develop the habit of slowing down and observing before reaching an intersection to prevent accidental running due to distraction or speeding.
Running a red light strictly refers to a vehicle crossing the stop line and entering the intersection during the red light phase. I pay special attention to this while driving, as even a one-second delay could lead to an accident. The definition is clear, but many people overlook the details, such as the yellow light serving as a warning. If you fail to stop in time and proceed after it turns red, it counts as running a red light. Frequently rushing or using a phone can easily lead to misjudgment. For safety, I always slow down in advance to allow for reaction time.
