When I was hit last year during daylight conditions, I was in a bike lane. Had the motorist used his mirrors (as he claimed) and I had been using my headlight in flashing mode, I *MAY* have attracted his attention enough to avoid having been right hooked.

I now ride with a MiNewt 600 Cordless in flashing mode during the daylight/lowlight rides to prevent a daytime incident. At night that light is switched to walk mode, and a MiNewt 200 is used in flash, unless I feel particularly vulnerable, then I'll use the MN600 in flash or a higher steady condition. On my helmet I use a MiNewt X2 on the low setting during lowlight/night rides to spotlight problems, investigate objects, and to allow crossing traffic to know where I'm looking.

The helmet light was instrumental in allowing me to get the license plate of a car that had a couple of idiots hanging out of it throwing eggs at me. The car was pulled over after ditching the idiots, but they were later arrested. One was convicted of harassment, the other's lawyer worked out a deal with me. I got two kids bikes (nearly $400 value) to donate to a cycling charity for that.

Never underestimate the value of good lights.