Light Flashing

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by kjax, Mar 26, 2009.

  1. kjax

    kjax Bobtail Member

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    Mar 26, 2009
    Ottawa, On
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    Hi,

    I'm no trucker, but I do spend quite a bit of time on the highway commuting.

    Since I tend to do most of my driving at night, I generally drive with a lot of truckers on the road and have noticed a lot of you flash your lights to communicate with each other, or me. (I'm unsure sometimes)

    Usually when a truck pulls into the left lane and passes another trucker, I've noticed you turing your lights off and on again once back in the right lane to signal the other trucker, I assume, as a thank-you. Sometimes I also see you using your signals after the fact.. left and right turn signals or else your hazards and I'm unsure if these are directed towards me.

    When someone pulls into the right hand lane after passing someone else I usually attempt a thank-you (for getting out of my way lol) by flashing my hazards. Is this an appropriate response to you all?

    I sometimes get a response of a high beam flash which I assume is usually a 'you're welcome'...

    Anyway I just want to know is there some unwritten rules to light flashing? And if not what would be the best way of thanking you guys and gals for moving aside to let me pass?
     
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  3. ssbowles

    ssbowles Heavy Load Member

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    Sep 27, 2007
    High Desert,CA
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    For the most part, the light flashing/signals is between the "passer" and the "passee", so no action would be needed on your part. If you wanted to say thanks to the truck that just "got out of your way" flashing your 4-ways / hazard lights would be the best.
    Whatever you do, don't flash your high beams at anyone at night, especially me....:yes2557: Seriously though, turn your lights off and back on, but no high beams. A blinded trucker is not a good thing to come across on the highway.
    Oh, and BTW....thanks for caring enough to ask...
     
  4. happypappy25

    happypappy25 Light Load Member

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    Dec 15, 2008
    League City, Texas
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    :biggrin_25519:Thanks for your courtousy. Yes, the light flashing is a way to say "you are clear of me a can come back over" but always look into your mirror to make sure you are clear because if you aren't, it's your accident. :biggrin_2552: Don't ever flash your high beams as it is illeagal and it blinds the driver ahead of you. It pisses me off when a driver flashes his high beams. If the driver is to lazy to reach over and flip the switch to say thank you it is just as good to say nothing at all.
    After passing someone, you can turn your signal on, that's the legal way, and when you are back into your lane you can turn your 4 ways on or do the l,r,l,r,l signal deal. That's just another way to say "thanks". Just depends what you prefer. I do that when I am in my "goofin mood" and strolin..LOL
    :biggrin_25519:I appreciate it, and it surprises me, when a 4 wheeler passes and flashes me.
     
  5. MrMustard

    MrMustard Road Train Member

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    Dec 11, 2008
    Dayton, Ohio
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    The problem we face is the image in a mirror is a 2 dimensional image. When the end of your trailer is 65 feet away it's hard to tell if you are clear of an object by relying on that image in the mirror, especially at night. The courtesy is to dim your lights to let the passing truck know he's clear.
     
  6. kingsson

    kingsson Heavy Load Member

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    Nov 29, 2008
    Omaha, NE
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    It's always a nice thing when 4-wheelers signal us over. We appreciate the courtesy. I especially appreciate it when I am trying to get over to the left lane (around construction, slow moving vehicles, or whatever) and a 4-wheeler slows down and signals me over. Doesn't happen often but it is nice when it does. I will hit my flashers to thank them... and I hope they understand what that is for!
     
    Still undecided Thanks this.
  7. Dukefan8408

    Dukefan8408 Light Load Member

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    Mar 16, 2009
    Amarillo, TX
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    Yep just a way to say thanks for letting me know im clear and can get over.
     
  8. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
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    Actually, turning your lights off then back on, has been deemed an unsafe maneuver. And the DOT prefers that new drivers be taught to high beam you.

    Stupid I know....but when did it ever make sense.
     
  9. happypappy25

    happypappy25 Light Load Member

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    Dec 15, 2008
    League City, Texas
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    That figures, especially when the books say THAT YOU ARE TO DIM YOUR LIGHT WHEN WITHIN 100 FT. of another vehicle, whether oncoming or in the same direction of travel. BUT,:biggrin_25510: that's the gov. for you. Basically, just use common sense, there still is some out there.LOL...:biggrin_25519:
     
  10. CURTWAYNE

    CURTWAYNE Medium Load Member

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    Jun 4, 2008
    LITTLE ROCK, AR
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    The truck I drive has two buttons on the steering wheel. On the left side of the steering wheel, is the headlight interrupt button. Press this button, and the headlights go off. Release the button, and the headlights are back on.
    On the right side of the steering wheel, is a marker light interrupt button. For each press of this button, the marker lights blink off.
    These are very easy to use. And, I absolutely despise people who flash their bright lights during the overnight hours.

    Never heard that about the DOT instructing people to use their bright lights. I bet if you did that to one of them, you'd get a ticket.
     
    Still undecided Thanks this.
  11. tsb

    tsb Bobtail Member

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    Feb 26, 2009
    amarillo,tx
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    The brights in my truck are my only option. If I turn the headlights off it takes 10 seconds for them to come back on. Stupid I know but all of our new company trucks have that issue.
    I try to flash the brights as fast as possible and sometimes I just do nothing at all. Guess it is just the way these new frightliners are wired.
    One last point....Yes the DOT does want you to flash brights and not to turn the headlights off. Really.
     
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