You have to look at an accident in terms of "How easily could this have happened to me?"

Pinnacle Accident: This could not have happened to me.
COMAIR Accident: Yes, this one could have happened to me. (not anymore though, I check RWY HDG and the big white numbers now)

Your own answers may vary based on your personal standards of judgement and professionalism.


Regarding the runway lights, airline pilots brief a set of specific circumstanes/emergencies which will result in an abort prior to V1. This includes engine failure and usually certain warning/caution messages. I have never heard anyone brief "We will abort the takeoff prior to V1 if we realize the runway lights are not on." The big screwup here occured prior to throttles when the CA taxied onto the wrong runway, and both pilots failed to check their headings. This may not have been a required check at comair. Also, they might have glanced at the HI as they lined up and seen the bug close to 0 degrees relative due to the proximity of two runway headings.