I used to find when riding my Pan European which was red and didn't have any disco lights that the traffic used to part to allow me through a lot more than when riding anything else. No flash gear on either, black lid, black jacket and orange & white gloves. Exactly the same gear as I wear on other bikes.
I believe the breath kit law has been dropped now.
Its a requirement to carry a spare bulb kit in France too so you can change the bulb at the roadside if one blows.
Have you ever tried changing the headlight bulb on a 2002 Laguna? Remove both front wheels, remove wheel arch liners, remove front bumper and then, remove headlight to access the bulb.
I think its always been there but now with the internet everyone hears about it whereas all you heard about before was the nonce on the estate where you lived.
I think its getting quite difficult to name an innocent TV presenter from the 70's now. Wait till they start on the 80's and Philip Schofield, Chris Tarrant, Noel Edmonds and Mr Blobby, not to mention the Chuckle Brothers, all end up being accused!