Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
It happens with frightening regularity. Motorists run into emergency vehicles with their flashing lights energized. Why? Is there a lesson we can apply to our irritating or annoying lights?
No, there isn't. It's unclear as to whether or not phototaxis is a thing in humans, but target fixation absolutely is. Every ambulatory movement taken by a human being absolutely relies on target fixation, whether that be a point in our vision, the source of a sound, or any other stimulus.
The biggest danger to a cyclist is the driver that
doesn't see them. Conspicuity is important. If the flashing of a taillight irritates a passing car for the 2 seconds it takes them to pass, well frankly, good.
Bicycle taillights are brightest directly on-axis for a reason. From ~8 feet to either side, they're not nearly as bright-- visible, but not blinding.