Will I be penalized if my rear wheels cross the line at a red light and then stop?
4 Answers
Yes, you will be penalized. However, if you stop at the crosswalk and do not continue driving, it is not considered running a red light but rather an over-the-line stop. According to Article 10 of the "Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Violations": If a motor vehicle driver violates the traffic signal by stopping over the line, no points will be deducted. 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. Running a red light occurs when a vehicle passes through an intersection while the signal is red, constituting a traffic violation. Running a red light refers to the situation where the vehicle is within the stop line, the signal is already red, but the vehicle continues to move forward until both the front and rear wheels have crossed the stop line. This is determined by capturing three photos via electronic cameras: 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. A photo showing the vehicle continuing to move, comparing changes in the vehicle's position, including the red light and license plate number. Capturing these three photos confirms the act of running a red light. Running a red light is not considered illegal under the following circumstances: Extreme weather: When visibility is so low that even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights, resulting in blurred evidence photos, accidental running of a red light will not be penalized by traffic police. Emergency situations: If a citizen transports a patient with a critical condition, they can present proof from the hospital or the person being assisted to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation record can be expunged. If possible, it is best to call an ambulance to avoid traffic accidents caused by running a red light. Traffic police direction: During peak commuting hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at major intersections. Drivers should follow the hand signals of the traffic police. Yielding to special vehicles: Yielding to special vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks. If caught on camera 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.
Last time I drove like this too. When the light flashed yellow at a red light, I accelerated to try and rush through, but ended up a bit late—just as my rear wheels crossed the line, I stopped immediately, thinking it should be fine to wait. But not long after, I received a traffic violation text, saying I ran a red light at the intersection, resulting in a 6-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine. Checking the surveillance footage, I saw the camera captured the entire action and ruled it as running a red light because the rear wheels crossed the line when the light was already fully red. Since then, I’ve learned my lesson—always slow down in advance and anticipate traffic signals. If the light turns yellow, don’t try to rush through to avoid risks. Losing points is a small matter, but causing an accident would be far worse. Safe driving is the real principle. Remember, electronic police are everywhere—don’t gamble by running lights.
In traffic regulations, running a red light often results in penalty points even if you stop after the rear wheels cross the line. The key factor is the vehicle's position when the light turns red. If any part of the car is over the line when the light is red, cameras typically deem it a violation, resulting in 6 penalty points and a fine. Enforcement varies by region, but don't count on luck. I recommend anticipating traffic lights while driving—prepare to stop at yellow lights without hesitation. Violating traffic signals isn't just about fines and points; it also increases the risk of rear-end collisions and endangers pedestrians and yourself. Every time I see intersection accident cases, I remind everyone to follow traffic rules for safety.
Stopping after running a red light still carries demerit point risks if your rear wheels cross the line. If the traffic camera captures your vehicle crossing the line when the light turns red, it may trigger automatic processing, resulting in 6 demerit points and a fine of several hundred yuan. It's not just about the money - losing all your points means having to retake the driving test, which affects daily life. As someone who's driven for many years, I constantly remind myself to observe signal changes in advance and prepare to stop early. Violating traffic rules is unsafe and wastes time and effort - waiting patiently for the green light is both more convenient and safer.
