[pc86]

Isn't a large contributing factor to this people being in the intersection ("blocking the box" in NYC) when the light turns red, causing literal gridlock? People, myself included, have a visceral aversion to sitting at a light as it cycles through and not moving, so the instinct is to move forward even if you're going to be sticking into the box a little bit. Then the person behind you does it because they've been waiting just as long as you, and suddenly the perpendicular traffic can't move at all because you're blocking their green light.

I always thought that was why I saw posted fines for blocking the box in NYC but never saw such signs elsewhere (although I've never driven in California).