Rhythm Thief said:
But I would say, finally, that I don't think my use of high vis is teh be all and end all of road safety, merely that it's something I can do with no inconvenience to me and no disadvantages that I can see, which I believe from my experience behind the wheel makes cyclists much easier to see than they otherwise are. That's all.
Agree completely. I wear a hi-viz jacket because I know, after well over 20 years of driving, that I notice hi-viz jackets earlier than people dressed in regular clothes. That's not to say I don't see them and give them room, but I DO see hi-viz from further away, which effectively means I see them in front of me for a longer period of time.
Now that I'm cycling, I want to give mototrists every opportunity to see me without compromising my comfort and a hi-viz jacket works for me. Flashing lights at night are my choice for exactly the same reason - I notice them from further away when I'm driving.
Bottom line is this: I don't think it makes a massive difference - hi viz v normal clothes or flashing lights v steady lights, but as it makes no difference to me, I'll take these options