Whirlybird
Good questions - but I suspect you may be beating the wind in more senses than one trying to discuss the real issues on this thread. Most people seem to be more concerned with how pilots of light aircraft should work around the well-known and potentially dangerous problem rather than looking at how the well-known problem and danger could, and IMHO should, be removed. eg Accurate gauges or, at the very least, low fuel warning lights.
I wonder if those who say it's so important to make a visual check of the tanks have actually paused to consider what looking in the tanks actually tells you about the quantity of fuel on board unless the tanks are full.
You raised another interesting topic earlier in the thread: Which is more productive in terms of flight safety: Carrying out an investigation when the risk of prosecution is hanging over people's heads or an investigation in which all those involved, not just the pilot, can speak freely without being at risk of being prosecuted?
When there's the risk of a prosecution, people watch their own backs and/or say as little as possible. Human nature - but not very useful for learning from mistakes and improving flight safety.