noglider 

It seems to me that blinky lights are easier to notice than steady lights. Perhaps they are harder to track and gauge where they are, but I can't see how the difference is much. In any case, you get the best of both worlds if you use both types of lights at once. I often run a blinky taillight and a steady taillight.

I agree that a blinky headlight is silly at night. Well, some use them, but I have no interest. It seems useful in the day. The Cygolite headlights have a "steady flash" mode that gives a burst of high intensity while otherwise staying steady at medium intensity. I find I can ride with this, though it is a bit distracting to me.

I'm glad the German laws led to the development of excellent lights, but I think the laws are too restrictive, and I'm glad we don't have similar laws here in US.