Will You Be Photographed When Passing Through a Yellow Light?
4 Answers
The electronic police surveillance system at intersections, which captures drivers' violations, activates with a 2-second delay after the yellow light turns on. Specific details are as follows: 1. Running a yellow light: If the vehicle's body has already crossed the stop line when the yellow light turns on, the driver can continue through without being penalized for running a yellow light. However, if the vehicle has not yet crossed the stop line when the yellow light turns on, the driver should promptly slow down and stop. Continuing through the intersection under these circumstances will be considered running a yellow light. 2. Penalty same as running a red light: The penalty for running a yellow light is the same as for running a red light—a fine of 200 RMB. Additionally, according to the "Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Violations," driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal lights will result in 6 penalty points. Therefore, drivers should always pay attention to changes in traffic signals, control their vehicles in a timely manner, and avoid committing traffic violations.
Will running a yellow light trigger the camera? I've had quite a few experiences with this. Traffic cameras mainly capture red-light running scenarios. As a transitional signal, if your vehicle has already crossed the stop line when the light turns yellow, you can usually pass through without being photographed. However, if you aggressively accelerate to beat the yellow light, drive too fast, or get stuck in the middle of the intersection, the system may record abnormal behavior, draw attention, and even indirectly trigger a photo. I remember last year when I rushed through a busy intersection on a yellow light—though the camera didn't directly capture me, the speed caught on video nearly earned me a ticket. The lesson: safety comes first—don't risk it to save a few seconds. Make it a habit to slow down and prepare to stop at yellow lights. Staying alert to changing road conditions can prevent many disputes.
A yellow light indicates a warning phase, and traffic rules require stopping immediately if you haven't crossed the stop line. When approaching an intersection with a flashing yellow light, if your vehicle cannot safely stop, proceeding usually won't trigger camera capture since surveillance systems mostly activate only during red lights. However, cameras may record speed and location data. Speeding or obvious violations during the yellow phase could be documented as evidence, potentially leading to fines. I recommend understanding these mechanisms: intersection setups vary, but the core principle is safe passage—don't rush. Years of driving experience teach me that anticipating light changes is crucial, like slowing down 10 seconds before reaching an intersection, which significantly reduces accident risks. Protecting yourself and others is fundamental to driving.
New drivers often worry about this issue. Simply put, running a yellow light may not necessarily be caught by traffic cameras. Cameras primarily target red light violations, while yellow lights serve as transitional signals. As long as you pass through at normal speed without stopping in the middle of the intersection, it's generally not a big issue. The key lies in safe operation: if you can safely stop when the yellow light appears, do so; if not, proceed through promptly. Avoid accelerating or hesitating, which could lead to accidents. Safe driving is paramount—never overlook basic traffic rules. Regular maintenance of vehicle lights also helps prevent unexpected situations.
