For pedestrians it is true, but for vehicles it is quite an exaggeration (for France). Well, for the red light, because for the yellow light is often understood

For pedestrians it is true, but for vehicles it is quite an exaggeration (for France). Well, for the red light, because for the yellow light is often understood as "accelerate so you can pass become it becomes red". When I go to more respectful countries (Nordic or Germanic countries, or Japan) I am always (pleasantly) shocked by how respectful drivers are. For example in Austria people literally braked to let me pass at a pedestrian crossing on a large road. In France you can wait for minutes for a car to stop or for the traffic to stop.