h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The article on bike lights suggests that it's been "scientifically proven" that flashing lights are more visible. I'd be interested to know what exactly this proof is, as I reckon they're not a good idea. If flashing lights were better, all vehicles should have them, and I suspect that that would make judging distance and speed almost impossible in busy situations. In a darkened room, I can accept that something flashing is "more visible", but out on the road, where it's kind of important that other users can judge speed, distance, and direction in milliseconds (human glances are not very long), I'd be very surprised if bright constant lights weren't hugely more effective.