Which Three Photos Are Taken for Running a Red Light?
4 Answers
Three photos captured by electronic cameras are used to determine a red light violation: a photo of the vehicle crossing the intersection stop line, showing the red light and license plate number; a photo of the vehicle completely crossing the stop line, showing the red light and license plate number; and a photo of the vehicle continuing to move, comparing the vehicle's position to see if there is any change, showing the red light and license plate number. Capturing these three photos confirms a red light violation. 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 proceed, and a yellow light serves as a warning. A red light is a traffic signal prohibiting passage, and driving through an intersection during a red light constitutes a traffic violation. Six scenarios of running a red light: Stopping immediately after crossing the line at a red light (when the red light is on, the vehicle fails to brake in time, and the front of the vehicle crosses the stop line): If the vehicle has just crossed the stop line during a red light but stops immediately, this is not penalized as a red light violation. However, if there is noticeable movement after crossing the line, it will be penalized. The three photos taken by electronic cameras for a red light violation are: the front wheels crossing the stop line, the rear wheels crossing the stop line, and the front wheels crossing the opposite stop line. Only when all three photos are present is it considered a red light violation, resulting in a 6-point deduction under the new regulations. Running a red light under police direction (the signal is red, but the traffic officer signals to proceed): When there is a conflict between the traffic signal and the officer's gesture, drivers must obey the officer's on-site command. If a driver runs a red light due to the officer's direction, they can request a diversion certificate from the local traffic police department to avoid penalties. If the driver disputes the penalty, they can appeal through administrative reconsideration or litigation. Stopping after the entire vehicle crosses the line at a red light (failing to brake in time, causing the entire vehicle to cross the stop line): If the vehicle stops completely after crossing the stop line without further movement, it is not considered a red light violation. However, this is classified as over-the-line parking. According to Article 4, Section 5 of the Road Traffic Violation Scoring Standards, failing to drive or park correctly at an intersection results in a 2-point deduction. Reversing after over-the-line parking (attempting to avoid penalties by reversing after crossing the stop line at a red light): Vehicles are prohibited from reversing at railway crossings, intersections, one-way roads, bridges, sharp turns, steep slopes, or tunnels. Violations may result in a warning or fine. Accidentally running a red light behind a large vehicle (due to obstructed view by the large vehicle ahead, following it through the intersection): Drivers must maintain sufficient visibility to see traffic signals and ensure a safe braking distance. In most cases, vehicles following large vehicles are penalized for rushing through intersections. This behavior is treated as a red light violation. Passing through an intersection during a yellow light (crossing the intersection when the signal turns yellow): According to the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line when the yellow light is flashing may continue to pass. However, if the vehicle continues to rush through after the yellow light has ended, it is considered a red light violation.
I've been driving for over a decade and am quite familiar with the rules of electronic enforcement cameras. Running a red light requires three key photos: The first shows the vehicle's front wheels not yet crossing the stop line when the light turns red, clearly displaying the signal and vehicle position; the second captures the rear wheels completely crossing the stop line into the intersection, proving the vehicle is still moving; the third shows the vehicle having reached the opposite side of the intersection, demonstrating full passage through the prohibited area. All three photos are essential, typically taken at 1-second intervals, using video screenshots as evidence. A reminder: if you stop immediately after crossing the line, it may only count as stop-line violation rather than red-light running, but to be safe, it's best not to rush yellow lights. Nowadays, advanced electronic cameras also take additional close-up shots of license plates and panoramic views to avoid misjudgment.
Last time I chatted with a traffic police friend about this, they mentioned that running a red light requires a complete chain of photographic evidence. The first photo records the vehicle not fully leaving the stop line during the red light, focusing on the wheel position and traffic signal status. The second photo shows the vehicle completely crossing the line into the transverse lane, proving the driving behavior continued. The third photo captures the vehicle completely crossing the intersection to the opposite lane. Recently, while helping a neighbor deal with a traffic violation, I found that some new-style cameras will add a close-up of the license plate after taking these three photos. It's important to emphasize that missing any photo due to heavy rain or equipment malfunction does not constitute a complete evidence chain, though the success rate of such appeals is very low. Driving safely should always come first.
Once when I was at the DMV handling some business, I took the opportunity to inquire about this. The standard procedure for running a red light camera is: one photo when the front wheels haven't crossed the line, another when the vehicle's body completely occupies the lane, and a final one when passing through the intersection. All three photos must clearly show the red light illuminated, the license plate, and the complete vehicle trajectory. I've seen a real case where a driver crossed the line in the last half-second of the yellow light and was captured in the first photo, but by the second photo the light had turned green, so no penalty was ultimately issued. Therefore, the key factor isn't the wheel position, but whether the photos can prove the vehicle passed through the intersection entirely during the red light phase. My advice is to slow down in advance when encountering a yellow light, especially at night when visibility might be blocked by trucks.
