What to Do If You Accidentally Run a Red Light While Turning Left?

[LeMackenzie]

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 results in a 6-point penalty. Whether running a red light while turning left or going straight, it is considered a traffic violation, and if caught by cameras, it will be recorded. The "Road Traffic Safety Law" stipulates that vehicles must obey traffic signals, including traffic lights, signs, road markings, and police directives. If both the left-turn and straight signals are green, proceeding straight from a left-turn lane violates lane regulations. When the left-turn signal is red, running the red light will be penalized. Here are some tips to avoid running a red light: Check the arrow light first, then the circular light: There are two types of traffic lights: arrow signals and circular signals. When arrow signals are present, check them first before looking at 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, turning right is prohibited and will be penalized as running a red light. Brake in time: When the light turns red, ensure your vehicle does not cross the stop line. If the front wheels accidentally cross, but the rear wheels do not, the camera will not trigger a violation. If the front wheels have just crossed the stop line when the light turns red, do not proceed; wait for the next green light. Monitor the green light countdown: When the green light flashes, if there is a countdown, use it to judge whether to proceed. If there is no countdown and you are close to the intersection at high speed, you may proceed to avoid sudden braking. If you are far from the intersection or driving slowly, brake immediately to 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: When the green light is on, vehicles may proceed, but turning vehicles must not obstruct straight-moving vehicles or pedestrians. When the yellow light is on, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue. When the red light is on, vehicles must stop. At intersections without non-motorized or pedestrian signals, non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians must follow motor vehicle signals. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed if they do not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. Running a red light is not considered a violation in the following situations: Yielding to emergency vehicles: Yielding to ambulances, fire trucks, or other emergency vehicles. If caught on camera while yielding, manual review will exclude the violation. Even if recorded, you can appeal to the traffic police. Extreme weather: If visibility is so low that even traffic cameras cannot clearly capture the signal, photos of the violation may be unclear, and no penalty will be issued for mistakenly running the red light. Emergencies: Transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital may involve running multiple red lights. After delivery, provide hospital or patient documentation to the traffic police for verification to clear the violations. If possible, call an ambulance to avoid accidents. Police direction: During peak hours, traffic police may manually direct traffic at key intersections. Drivers must follow their instructions.