One person doing something wrong does not in any way justify anyone else doing the same thing. When I jump in the saddle every day, along with having a fun time riding, I try to show that I'm a more conscientious road user than almost any car driver out there.

I think absolute rule following isn't really necessary, but at the same time, I think SOME rules are pretty important. Right of way is absolute. If there's traffic present at all, and there's a red, there simply isn't any excuse for running it. OTOH, if there's no traffic around, well, I personally follow the rules anyway, I'm one of those people who will sit at a red light in the middle of the desert, but I won't care much if I see someone else running a red in the wee hours of the morning with no traffic around.