Here in Illinoisy, outside of Chicago (where all lights are on timers, evidently), the State has recognised that bicyclists and motocyclists are incapable of registering on the magnetic sensors that will trigger a light change, so we have a 120 second "go if traffic is clear" law. Our State is stupid in many respects, but at least is helpful.

I think that story is along the lines of "giving him enough rope to hang himself." He had two extra chances to redeem himself and get off scott free. Also, how did he not know there was a police car behind him? He was NOT maintaining full situational awareness, there, but then, the headphones were a dead giveaway about that! If I were a police officer, I'd have let this guy wrack up the fines as well, on the theory that a whopping economic hardship will drive home a lesson that a lesser fine might not.