Will stopping beyond the stop line at a red light result in penalty points?

[Alana]

Stopping with the entire vehicle beyond the stop line at a red light does not incur penalty points; only proceeding further and running the red light will result in penalty points. Additional relevant information is as follows: 1. Running a red light: This refers to the act where motor vehicles, non-motor vehicles, pedestrians, etc., violate traffic signal instructions by crossing the stop line and continuing to move when the red light is on and passage is prohibited. The extended meaning of 'running a red light' is often used to describe actions that go beyond existing rules or violate legal or moral norms. 2. Note: Regardless of the reason, any violation of running a red light will be penalized according to the law. However, the video equipment at intersections is very cautious in collecting information about red-light violations each time, requiring 'three rounds of review.' In other words, to confirm that a vehicle has run a red light, three photos are required as evidence: before the vehicle crosses the line, after crossing the line, and entering the intersection. 'The photo of entering the intersection can clearly show whether the vehicle forcibly passed through during the red light,' explained a traffic officer. The three photos will clearly record the vehicle's movement during the red light.

[LaWilliam]

Last year I encountered this situation - slammed on the brakes but still crossed the stop line before coming to a complete halt. Surprisingly, when I checked later, there was no violation! My traffic police friend explained this doesn't count as running a red light because electronic enforcement requires three photos as evidence: front wheels crossing the line, rear wheels crossing, and the vehicle completely passing through the intersection. If you stop after just crossing the line, at worst it's considered 'over-line stopping,' which in most cities carries a 50-100 yuan fine with no points deducted. But never reverse! Reversing could actually get you ticketed for illegal backing. The key is not to proceed forward - if your entire vehicle crosses the intersection, that's a definite 6 points and 200 yuan penalty. Next time, I'd rather start slowing down 10 meters earlier.

[AbelDella]

After driving for 15 years, I've seen too many beginners stumble over this issue. Stopping immediately after crossing the stop line at a red light theoretically won't incur demerit points, but some cities penalize it as illegal parking. For instance, in Shenzhen, crossing the line and stopping directly results in a 2-point deduction and a 300-yuan fine; in Shanghai, it might just be a 200-yuan fine without point deduction. It's best to check the local traffic regulations for details. Also, don't rush through yellow lights—many line crossings happen when trying to beat the yellow. I always keep a dash cam in my car; if penalized, I can appeal. The key is to firmly press the brake and keep both hands on the steering wheel without making unnecessary movements.

[GriffinDella]

I also worried about this when I just got my driver's license. The instructor said, don't panic or reverse after crossing the line, stopping immediately is the safest. According to Article 90 of the Road Traffic Law, a vehicle crossing the stop line but stopping at the intersection does not count as running a red light. The main risk is in the left-turn lane, where stopping can obstruct cross traffic. It's recommended to pay more attention to the traffic light countdown while driving and slow down when the light is about to change. Many urban intersections have electronic screens displaying violations in real-time, so remember to glance at it after crossing the line to confirm. If you are actually caught, the traffic management app 12123 will have a record within three days, where you can view the captured photos.