Will running a yellow light that turns red while in the intersection trigger a camera?
4 Answers
If you drive through a yellow light and it turns red while you are in the middle of the intersection, you may be photographed and penalized for running a red light. According to the new Road Traffic Safety Law, when the yellow light is flashing at an intersection, vehicles that have already crossed the stop line may continue to pass, while vehicles that have not crossed the stop line must stop. Driving through a yellow light is considered running a red light. If you continue to rush through a yellow light, being photographed under these circumstances will also count as running a red light. The details are as follows: 1. Three photos: The electronic eye captures three photos of a vehicle running a red light: the vehicle crossing the stop line, followed by two photos of the vehicle reaching the middle of the intersection and arriving at the opposite side of the intersection. 2. Judgment criteria: If the vehicle has just crossed the stop line when the yellow light is on but stops immediately, the traffic management department will not penalize it. However, if there is obvious movement after crossing the line, the vehicle will be penalized. If you drive through a yellow light due to obstruction by the vehicle in front, it is not considered running a red light. You can apply to the local traffic police department to revoke the penalty. Of course, if you have evidence such as dashcam footage, the success rate of administrative reconsideration to revoke the penalty will be higher.
I've been driving for almost 20 years and am very sensitive about yellow lights. A yellow light is essentially a warning signal, reminding you to prepare to stop. If you proceed through the intersection and it turns red while you're in the middle, generally you won't be photographed because red-light cameras are designed to capture vehicles that enter the intersection after the light has turned red. If you've already entered the intersection during the yellow light and it turns red while you're in the middle, in most places, this isn't considered a violation—this is the case under U.S. rules, for example. But don't rely on this; safety comes first. I once witnessed a driver rushing through a yellow light and nearly hitting a pedestrian. Although they weren't caught on camera, the consequences could have been much worse. My advice is to develop the habit of slowing down when the green light is about to end and stopping if you can do so safely when the yellow light comes on. This helps avoid accidents and fines. Familiarize yourself with local traffic rules—some places have stricter policies, but overall, it's best to take fewer risks.
As a new driver who just got my license a year ago, I've had the same question. A friend told me that he's rushed through yellow lights several times, ending up in the middle of the intersection when it turned red, and never got photographed. The cameras only capture vehicles entering after the light turns red, so if you go through on yellow and get caught in the middle when it turns red, it shouldn't trigger the system. But from what my driving instructor said during practice, a yellow light isn't an opportunity to speed up—it's a signal to slow down. It's best to stay alert towards the end of a green light and assess whether you can safely stop under the yellow. If you do end up running it, don't panic; check the official rules, and you'll likely be fine. But for safety, I've since learned my lesson and now brake early every time I see the light change.
I enjoy delving into automotive technology and have learned about how traffic cameras operate. They rely on ground sensors to detect vehicle positions, and the condition for taking a photo is that a vehicle crosses the line after the red light turns on, which is considered running a red light. Therefore, if you enter the intersection during a yellow light and are in the middle when it turns red, you usually won't be photographed, as the system only targets vehicles that enter after the light turns red. However, don't rely on technical loopholes because occasionally sensors may trigger incorrectly. The essence of the rule is to ensure safety: failing to stop at a yellow light increases the risk of accidents, so avoid developing such habits.
