Originally Posted by twahl
While you aren't likely to get in trouble for not having reflectors, just like in the county I live helmets are required but you won't see a police office stop anyone for it...when there is a requirement like that for your own safety and you are involved in an accident, liability becomes an issue, Picture yourself on the witness stand answering questions from the defendant's lawyer.
[trial snip]
Same thing happens when cars have missing or defective equipment. If it's missing, you may not be found at fault, but neither will the person that actually caused the accident, so you are screwed.
I put an amber xenon strobe on the back of my bike for much the same reason.
Lawyer: Did you see the bright yellow flasher.
Def: No.
Lawyer: This flasher? The one that people don't want to look at the in the daytime? You
failed to notice this?
Def: Yeah, I guess so.
Lawyer: Uh huh. So you also failed to notice the bright red tail light, and the headlamp which was lighting up the road, signs, vegetation, and other traffic? Did you pass a vision test to get your license?
[etc]