Even still, much like in India where drivers will learn to ignore the the punishing light, it could be drivers in France will learn that running reds does not increase a chance of collision because it’s only a signal of speed.
Increasing a chance of collision or not is not the same as losing a minute over a traffic light or annoying a few people. It does not appeal to the same emotions, it has a much deeper meaning.
When a light turns yellow, a driver has to make a very quick calculus of a number of factors, including estimating stopping duration and distance, traffic presence, penalties, even judgement from other drivers. Some people will place more weight on one or another of those factors. If there is any significant portion of the population that places weight on "this isn't a real red light; it is only meant as a nagging signal" then it seems that the chances of a miscalculation (and high-speed collision) become greater overall.
