ok, ok - I have a story now. No pickups or rednecks - no cagers at all!
I had my backup handlebar light come apart and dump it's 4 AA batteries onto a side street this morning. I could only find three of them.

After about 15 minutes I gave up and proceeded with just my helmet light. Don't know if the backup light broke when it hit the pavement. I can say it doesn't run on three batteries - that much is sure.
On the bright side, (punny-huh?) my new Dinotte is to arrive today!!