"Not everyone will still then read the rules"
It's not to force people to read the rules, it's too make sure people know they exist, and for people who don't wish to cause trouble but get started on the site, it let's them know how to behave. Plus, it gives Editors and Mods good excuses to act on the spot rather than referring to rules and giving warnings etc. No one is suggestion we literally force rules down people's throats. It's just to make more people aware of how the site works, rather than trial and error (like me, I didn't read the rules for about 8 months after I joined :P. I got into some trouble orginally)