Will running a yellow light be photographed?
3 Answers
Running a yellow light will be photographed. The act of rushing through a yellow light is considered a violation of traffic signal rules, and the driver will be fined with a 6-point deduction. Determination of running a yellow light: According to Article 38 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, 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 to proceed, while those that have not crossed the stop line should stop. Special circumstances where running a yellow light can be appealed: If you encounter large vehicles such as buses, trucks, or trailers ahead that block your view, causing you to 'mistakenly' run a yellow light, you can bring your driving record to the traffic police department to have the penalty revoked; If you encounter emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, or special-purpose vehicles performing urgent tasks and need to yield, running a yellow light can also have the penalty revoked. Bring your driving record for an appeal, and the traffic police department will review the vehicle's route and intersection surveillance to revoke the penalty; When traffic signals malfunction or conflict, and there is on-site traffic police directing traffic, you must follow their instructions. Even if you are caught running a yellow light by electronic surveillance and a violation record is found, you can have the penalty revoked by obtaining a traffic flow adjustment certificate from the traffic police station.
I've been driving for over a decade and have seen many drivers rushing through yellow lights, only to get ticketed. The yellow light is actually a warning signal, meaning you should slow down and stop, not force your way through. Some intersections have electronic eyes, with high-definition cameras that capture light-running violations, especially in busy areas like major crossroads in Shanghai or Beijing. If you rush through to save time, the cameras will automatically recognize your license plate, and a ticket will be mailed to your home in a few days, resulting in points deducted and a fine. I remember last year, I almost ran a yellow light myself when it was getting dark and hard to see the signal—luckily, I snapped out of it in time. It's not just about the money; it also increases the risk of traffic accidents. Sudden braking or acceleration can lead to accidents. So, I recommend maintaining a safe distance while driving, watching for signal changes early, and being willing to wait a few extra seconds rather than gambling with luck. Safety comes first—better safe than sorry later.
As someone who frequently pays attention to traffic regulations, I have to say running a yellow light is really not worth it—there's a high chance of being caught on camera. A yellow light is not an extension of the green light; it's a signal to stop. Traffic rules clearly state that running a yellow light is a violation, punishable just like running a red light. Many intersections in cities are equipped with smart monitoring systems—these electronic police operate 24/7, accurately detecting vehicle positions and signal timing, automatically generating tickets once captured. For example, in Shenzhen, running a yellow light could result in a 200-yuan fine plus penalty points. Even worse, it not only costs money but also increases the risk of rear-end collisions—sudden braking can leave the car behind with no time to react. I've seen plenty of such accidents in news reports. So whenever I see a yellow light, I ease off the accelerator in anticipation, ensuring a safe stopping distance. Developing this habit has made driving much more worry-free and reduced costs.
