"...at least three cars are gonna run the red." you have it right, Rapaire! I have seen as many as 7 cars continue thru a red light in a double left-turn lane...that's 4 in one lane and 3 in another. I have, on 3 occasions, braked for a yellow light, only to have someone pull out and PASS me in order to run the red light.

The DC area has an unusual demography of drivers, including MANY immigrants whose habits were instilled in countries with 'different' attitudes...plus many bureaucrats of varied ilk whose sense of self-importance is exceeded only by the size of their cars. Add to this, a nasty street arrangement, with only a few main arteries and very few usable detours ("I don't want traffic in front of MY house") and a booming economy where cars and shopping are common......and you have the 2nd worse traffic in the country.

I am SO lucky to be retired and not have to deal with it on a daily basis.