Will Running a Red Light Always Result in Points Deduction?
3 Answers
Running a red light will result in points deduction. According to Article 2, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2 of the "Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations," driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal regulations will result in a deduction of 6 points. 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. Whether a motor vehicle runs a red light while turning left or going straight, it is considered a violation. Running a red light refers to the act of a motor vehicle violating the prohibition of passage during the red light phase at a signal-controlled intersection or road section, crossing the stop line, and continuing to drive. Based on the following points, you can avoid running a red light: First, look at the arrow light, then the circular light: Currently, there are two types of indicator lights: arrow traffic lights and circular indicator traffic lights. In the case of arrow lights, first observe the arrow light and then the circular light to avoid running a red light. Note: When encountering a circular red light, you can turn right; when encountering an arrow signal light with a red right-turn arrow, you cannot turn right, otherwise, it will be penalized as running a red light. Brake in time: When the red light turns on, do not let the front of the vehicle cross the stop line. If the front wheels accidentally cross, and the rear wheels follow, the electronic camera will capture it, and it will be penalized as running a red light. If the front wheels have just crossed the stop line when the signal turns red, do not proceed through the intersection; wait for the green light before proceeding. Check the green light countdown before proceeding: When the green light flashes, if there is a countdown, judge based on the countdown; if there is no countdown, and the vehicle is close to the intersection with high speed, you may proceed to avoid running a red light due to untimely braking. If the speed is low and the vehicle is far from the intersection, brake immediately to avoid running a red light. 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 pass, but turning vehicles must not hinder the passage of straight-going 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 signals, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians should follow the motor vehicle signal indications. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may pass if they do not hinder the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. Running a red light is not considered a violation under the following circumstances: Extreme weather: When visibility is so low that even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights, and the evidence of the violation is blurry, running a red light by mistake will not be penalized by traffic police. Emergency situations: When rushing a critically ill patient to the hospital, many red lights may be run, and the 12-point deduction may not suffice. After delivering the patient, the citizen can provide proof from the hospital or the person assisted to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation record can be cleared. If possible, it is best to call an ambulance to avoid accidents caused by running red lights. Traffic police command: During peak hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at important intersections. Drivers should follow the gestures of the traffic police. Yielding to special vehicles: Yielding to special vehicles such as ambulances or fire trucks. If caught by surveillance cameras while yielding, manual review will not record the red light violation. Even if recorded, you can apply for reconsideration at the traffic police department.
Having driven for decades, I have a deep understanding of running red lights. Generally, running a red light will be caught by traffic cameras or police, resulting in a 6-point deduction and a fine, as stipulated by traffic laws. However, it’s not guaranteed you’ll be penalized every time—some areas have outdated or malfunctioning cameras that fail to capture violations, letting you off the hook. Or, if you run a red light in an emergency, like rushing a critically ill family member to the hospital, presenting medical records to the traffic police during an appeal might lead to leniency. Still, don’t rely on luck—it’s extremely dangerous. Most intersection accidents I’ve seen stem from this. Cultivating good habits is key: slow down early, watch traffic signals, and use navigation apps to alert you to light positions. If wrongly penalized, keep dashcam footage for appeals. After all these years driving, safety is paramount—don’t let a moment of recklessness ruin lives.
I drive my kids to school every day, so the topic of running red lights is very important to me. Normally, running a red light will result in penalty points and fines because surveillance cameras are monitoring. However, occasionally, if the camera is not activated or there's a technical malfunction, it might not capture the violation, and you could avoid punishment. But this is too risky—if an accident happens, the kids could be in danger. I've seen the details of traffic accidents in the news. In emergencies, such as rushing to the hospital with proper documentation, you might be exempt after filing an appeal. But I don’t recommend it. I teach my kids to follow the rules, and I also drive steadily. In urban areas with frequent red lights, it’s easier to get fined, while rural areas might have looser enforcement. I suggest parents install dash cams to protect themselves and avoid wrongful judgments. Safety comes first—even if running a red light doesn’t result in penalty points, it’s meaningless. Protecting your family is what truly matters. Discipline starts with small habits; developing the routine of slowing down and stopping can ensure safety.
