Looks like they activate first and then forget they were supposed to connect.
How to reproduce:
create a line of at least two rails (probably of any type, haven't tested with others than normal) going east to west (this is important)
drive a minecart off one end, make it sit right next to it.
place a detector rail under the minecart.
observe
Unable to reproduce in 20w18a (probably fixed in past updates)