Will Running a Red Light Always Be Captured by Cameras?
2 Answers
Running a red light does not necessarily mean you will be captured by cameras. If you notice the electronic police flash when running a red light, it does not guarantee you were recorded. Other possible reasons for the flash include: The flash may serve as a warning, emitting at a fixed frequency; it may be for traffic flow statistics, flashing for every passing vehicle; it could be recording violations by other vehicles; or the electronic police device might simply be malfunctioning. 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 permits passage, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Whether a vehicle runs a red light while turning left or going straight, it constitutes a traffic violation. Here are some tips to avoid running a red light: Check the arrow light first, then the circular light: Currently, there are two types of traffic lights: arrow traffic lights and circular indicator traffic lights. When an arrow light is present, drivers should first observe the arrow light and then 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, 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 your vehicle does not cross the stop line. If the front wheels accidentally cross but the rear wheels do not, the electronic camera will capture it, resulting in a penalty for running a red light. If the front wheels have just crossed the stop line when the light turns red, do not proceed further; wait for the next green light. 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 your vehicle is close to the intersection at a high speed, you may proceed to avoid braking too late and running the red light. If the speed is low and the vehicle is far from the intersection, brake immediately to stop. Article 38 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China states: When the green light is on, vehicles are permitted to proceed, 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. When the red light is on, vehicles are prohibited from proceeding. At intersections without non-motorized vehicle or pedestrian signals, non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle signal. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may proceed 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: If visibility is so low that even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights, resulting in blurred evidence, drivers who accidentally run a red light will not be penalized. Emergency situations: When transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital, running multiple red lights may be unavoidable. After delivering the patient, the driver can present hospital or patient-provided proof to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation records will be cleared. If possible, calling an ambulance is recommended to avoid accidents caused by running red lights. Police direction: During peak hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at key intersections. Drivers should follow the officers' hand signals. Yielding to emergency vehicles: When yielding to ambulances, fire trucks, or other emergency vehicles, if the act is captured by surveillance cameras, manual review will not record it as a red-light violation. Even if recorded, drivers can apply for reconsideration at the traffic police department.
I've had similar thoughts while driving before – running a red light might not necessarily be caught, especially on some small roads or in areas with outdated equipment where cameras might not cover. I've tried a few times on small roads and got away with it, but I felt uneasy because most intersections in the city have electronic surveillance, and running a red light would definitely be caught. Safety is more important; running a red light is particularly prone to causing accidents. Even if you're not caught, you might hit pedestrians or other vehicles, harming yourself and others. Nowadays, traffic supervision is becoming stricter, with many places installing high-definition cameras, and reports can even be made through dashcams. I recommend staying focused while driving, slowing down in advance, and avoiding taking risks to save a few seconds. In short, the high risk isn't worth it – safety comes first. Rules are there to protect us, so developing good habits can help avoid regrets.
