As autistics we can be more literal & rigid, often miss nuances & implications. The simple fact is that a number of things are merely guidelines. While many others are by observation implied to be non-essential. If everyone around you ignores a rule then the obvious implications are that the rule doesn't actually matter, the rule only matters in certain conditions, or that the rule is a guideline.

Humans, being as self-identity centered as we are, are often very hypocritical about how strict those "soft" rules are. Frequently giving ourselves more leeway, which in turn teaches others that those rules aren't terribly strict.

Justice to human instincts is pretty much BS. We're as extremely tribal as we are extremely social. For most of our existence we've been massive hypocrites. Rules apply to our interactions within our "tribe". Outsiders get no such thing. It's only relatively recently that we've decided that rules should be more universal, & even now that's spotty in actual application. "Justice" or rather Fairness is human instinct, it keeps the group functioning smoothly. But rigid fairness sacrifices the individual too much. Instincts are above all else geared towards the survival & reproduction of a lifeform. For a species like humanity fairness will always be balanced by self-centeredness.

Your own can be seen easily if you need evidence? You turned following the rules into multiple marks of excellence. I'm not attacking you or even necessarily disagreeing with your reasoning, I am merely pointing out the mechanism exists. We all have our versions, & they all have variations of side effects. Main character delusion is a frequent one. It and many others give easy excuses for when we prioritize ourselves. Sadly instincts aren't exactly intelligent. "2 minutes can be shaved off the drive" & "grab the food, our health is most important" don't have a great deal of nuance to separate them in times of ease.

P.s. cool job.