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 regulations will result in 6 demerit points per offense. 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. 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. Article 44: Motor vehicles passing through intersections shall proceed according to traffic signals, traffic signs, traffic markings, or the direction of traffic police. To avoid running a red light, follow these guidelines: First, observe the arrow light, then the circular light: Currently, there are two types of traffic lights: arrow traffic lights and circular traffic lights. When arrow lights are 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 may 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, passage through the intersection is prohibited; 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 accordingly; 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-moving 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 shall 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 illegal under the following circumstances: Yielding to special vehicles: Yielding to special vehicles such as ambulances or fire trucks. If captured by surveillance cameras while yielding, the act of running a red light 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 so low that even electronic police cannot clearly see the traffic lights. The photographic evidence of the violation may be blurred, 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 multiple red lights, and 12 demerit points may not suffice. After delivering the patient, provide proof from the hospital or the rescued individual to the traffic police for verification. If confirmed, the violation records can be cleared. If possible, it is best to call an ambulance to avoid accidents caused by running red lights. Traffic police direction: During peak hours, traffic police may temporarily direct traffic at important intersections. Drivers must follow the gestures of the traffic police.
