Alright, but I didn't say not to uncritically follow rules. I said I follow rules unless I have a reason not to.
From what you said it sounds like you have a reason.

I was also pretty clearly talking about rules of greater consequence than table manners or conversational etiquette. I don't typically put things like traffic law in the same category of table etiquette.

It's a pretty big stretch to go from "I don't put my feet on the table at dinner" to "the rules required me to do bad things and I did it because those are the rules".

Finally, there's a reason for most rules of etiquette and manners, you just don't know what they are or care. That's fine in the end, I don't typically follow all rules of etiquette either because I'm lazy. If someone invites me to their fancy dinner though then I'll put a napkin on my lap, keep my elbows off the table and eat with the right fork at the right time. Not because it's the rules but because I want the persons fancy dinner to be as nice as they hoped. I'll follow a rule of etiquette because I care about someone else.

But I never said or implied that anyone should follow rules without thinking.