Will Running a Red Light at Night Be Captured?
4 Answers
Running a red light at night will be captured. 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 will result in a deduction of 6 points. 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. When an arrow light is present, 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 comes 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. Check the green light countdown before proceeding: When the green light is flashing, 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 can proceed to avoid running a red light due to untimely braking. If the speed is slow and the vehicle is far from the intersection, brake immediately to avoid running a red light. According to Article 44 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law": When motor vehicles pass through intersections, they shall proceed according to traffic signal lights, traffic signs, traffic markings, or the command of traffic police. Article 38 of the "Implementing Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" states the meanings of motor vehicle signal lights and non-motor vehicle signal lights: When the green light is on, vehicles are allowed to pass, but turning vehicles shall not obstruct 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 signal lights or pedestrian crossing signal lights, non-motor vehicles and pedestrians shall proceed according to the motor vehicle signal lights. When the red light is on, right-turning vehicles may pass if they do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. Running a red light is not illegal under the following circumstances: Yielding to special vehicles: Yielding to special vehicles such as ambulances or fire trucks. If captured by surveillance cameras for running a red light while yielding to special vehicles, the violation will not be recorded during manual review. Even if recorded, you can apply for reconsideration at the traffic police department. Extreme weather: When visibility is very low, and even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights. The evidence photos for violations may be blurry, and if you accidentally run a red light, the traffic police will not impose penalties. Emergency situations: When transporting a critically ill patient to the hospital, you may run many red lights, and 12 points may not be enough. After delivering the patient, provide proof from the hospital or the person rescued 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 traffic 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.
When I drive at night, I often wonder if running a red light will be caught. To be honest, those traffic cameras are not just for show—most of them are equipped with infrared or low-light technology, capable of capturing license plate numbers clearly in the dark. When the red light is on, even if you don’t see a flash, the device can still operate internally. I learned this the hard way—once, I ran a red light while rushing at night and later received a fine and penalty points. It’s not just about the money; it’s even more dangerous as it can easily cause accidents. At night, visibility is poor, making it hard to see pedestrians or other vehicles. So, I suggest everyone slow down, stop at red lights for a few seconds, and remember that safety is far more important than time. Developing good driving habits can help you avoid trouble.
Buddy, don't think you can get away with it at night! Those traffic light cameras are incredibly powerful, many using infrared or special lighting to capture license plates crystal clear. I've researched online—they're designed for 24/7 operation, including late nights. If you run a red, expect an instant ticket plus points deducted. Worse yet, poor nighttime visibility increases risks of hitting pedestrians or rear-end collisions. As a driver myself, I'd rather wait a minute than gamble. Remember, traffic rules aren't about nitpicking—they protect everyone. Develop the habit of slowing down, and you'll arrive home safely.
As a novice driver, I also wondered if running a red light at night would get me caught. Later, I learned from experience that traffic cameras are just as effective at night, mostly using infrared technology to see everything clearly. I often notice the flashing lights at intersections while driving, which means they're capturing violations. Running a red light is extremely dangerous, especially when it's dark and there are fewer people around, as reaction times decrease and risks increase. Now, I no longer rush and make sure to obey traffic signals for safety.
