FWIW, and I may have said this earlier, but one of the best tech changes in cycling over the past few years has been the availability of bright, small, and relatively inexpensive bike lights. I've gone all 'Fred' with them and rarely ride without both front and rear. In town, I have no doubt that the front light in particular has stopped cars from pulling out or going the 'left cross'. In rural areas, the rear light I'm sure helps put cyclists on the radar. Not that this is likely to help compete with a '12 pack, a fifth, some meth, and the car' combo, but for 'normal' bike/driver interaction, lights IMHO do help. And are well worth the very few onces of extra weight and trouble.
On a side note, Seattle drivers are just simply self-absorbed, and lack a large percentage of basic spatial awareness. Maybe looking at computer screens all day and night robs us of peripheral vision. Dunno. This along with an additional healthy dose of self-righteousness seems to carry over into the cycling community. Thankfully though, you can't really accuse Seattle drivers of being fast and aggressive.