I don’t know about other areas of the country, but here in the SF bay area there is an absolute epidemic of idiot drivers who do not know how to stop at a red light. From my observations, I’d say that drivers break down about like this:
10% stop at least part way through the crosswalk. Imbeciles, but a small minority.
30% stop approximately correctly, within a couple feet (front bumper) of the limit line.
60% stop too far back, and of these, a shocking number stop at least a full car length or more behind the line. I’ve seen people stop 25–30 feet behind the crosswalk on many occasions, not just once.
The answer is that if you can’t or won’t stop your car within 2 feet or so of the limit line without entering the crosswalk, you should turn in your license. This also goes for mouth breathers who can’t pull up behind the car in front of them, leaving the same types of outrageous distances they do when first in line.
Bottom line: Get your ass up where you belong (limit line or behind the car in front of you), trigger the light sensor, pay attention, and move when it’s your turn. There is nothing worse than getting behind these idiots and then having to sit through a second cycle of an already maddeningly long light.