Isn't being stopped like that a violation? Why aren't people getting massive fines or their driving privileges taken away for driving like this?
They absolutely have a choice where their car goes. They've got a gas pedal, a brake pedal, and a steering wheel don't they?
If they can't clear the intersection they have no business entering it.
> If they decide not to move until there is a car length of free space on the other side, cars behind them will honk up a storm.
That's a problem with the car behind them. You shouldn't break the law because someone is honking at you.
> Ticketing them would effectively just be a stochastic congestion tax anyway.
Good.
(Personally I avoid driving and biking in midtown these days because I am uncomfortable breaking the law, but when I do have to choose between following the law and operating safely I choose the latter.)
In heavy urban traffic, it is impossible to know if you can clear the intersection before entering it. You can often predict it with some degree of accuracy, but only if you are already familiar with this particular intersection; forget about out of towners being able to make that judgment.