Originally Posted by
PJones0012
Reflectors and non-flashing lights are generally ineffective at a distance but as a driver approaching from the rear gets closer it helps to establish a safety zone around you. A driver will first notice a flashing light at a distance then notice the non-flashing light. The further away the driver is when they see you the more time they have to react to your presence. For this reason I also use a flashing white light on the front in addition to my headlights. D
This business of a flashing red light being more noticable is incorrect. If this were true then a long time ago all cars would have gone to flashing red tail lights; in fact there has been studies that proved that flashing red lights actually confused motorists as to how far away an object was.
For some reason this only applies to red, an amber or white flashing light does not have that problem. That is why, like you, I also have a amber front flasher to attract the attention of motorists so they will then see the headlight. BUT, I have barend lights and those I leave flashing only to conserve the little button batteries; I then have two Cateye LD600's mounted to the stays and those remain steady as does the helmet light, but the Superflasher mounted to the seatpost appears brighter when flashing then it does steady so that one flashes but I'm debating with myself to leave it steady.
http://www.bikeplan.com/yellowq.htm This site explains the red flashing problem but it is dated thus the comments on LED not being bright enough is no longer correct.