I do the same here in my little corner of Maine, where apparently a red light is considered to be a personal affront by more than a few.
The main "street" in this area is US RTE 13........the few traffic lights we have seem to be a personal affront to EVERYONE. I am going to make sure everyone is at a standstill before I enter the danged intersection, and if the folks behind me don't like it -- too bloody bad about them because that slight hesitation on my part could very well save their lives if I get through that intersection before the idiot not stopping does.