Lights

Maybe you mean 0.5 watt?

Even so, yes it probably is a bit blinding to drivers, but only rainy and dark nights that is an irritant, but also a lifesaver to a cyclist. I know which side I support. But clearly we all have different viewpoints. What you may see as unnecessary, I see as being fucking essential.

The thing is, Ashe, on a dark night, you need less light on the rear, and less on the front up to a point.

I feel like a have to use my über front light at full blast whilst doing night-time laps in Regents Park, as intermittent ambient lighting inhibits my night vision (I go from sodium glow to near darkness repeatedly). The same light, on half power, is like having the moon on my handlebars when I'm doing 25mph down an unlit country lane.