Which of the following violations carries three points?

Running a red light is a violation that carries three points because it poses a significant danger to public safety. This action directly impacts the flow of traffic and increases the risk of collisions, which is why it is penalized more severely compared to other violations. In the context of North Carolina's point system, violations that are considered to have a higher risk or potential for harm typically incur more points to encourage safer driving behaviors.

In contrast, driving without a seatbelt, while dangerous, generally results in fewer points because it primarily affects the individual driver's safety rather than the overall safety of others on the road. Parking in a no-parking zone usually does not carry points, as it is more of a minor infraction that can be resolved with a citation or a fine. Driving with expired registration is also typically treated as a less severe offense, often resulting in a warning or a fine rather than points on the driver's record.