on the old mack and brockway trucks they had a switch that was by the door post on the left corner of the dash you pulled it back and flashed your marker lights and pushed it forward it would flash the bright lights. everyone would still use the off on switch. because no one likes bright lights in there face,

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Arguing with a truck driver is like wrestling with a pig in mud. after a while you figure out they like it.

common sense tells me that if i turn off my headlights briefly the truck passing will see no other lights in front of me and know they can change lanes.Flashing highbeams would serve as a possible warning-i.e. not clear of passed vehicle or tooclose,etc.
oh i wish things had stayed the same as i learned them! 25 years ago flashing high beams was a sure way to get cussed.i think it is rude.you can`t fix stupid so most of us just go on our way.
Ireally miss the days when everybody(not just truckers) made the extra effort to help each other.drivers stopping if you broke down,not just to check on you,but often helping repair your truck-giving what they had just to help.Didn`t matter if you were a fourwheeler,comp. driver,o\o,whatever-we helped each other.(called pay it forward,now)
Iguess i must be getting old-longing for the "good ol` days"...
Rocky

Actually, I do flash at times… usually if visibility is hard like when it’s raining hard and sometimes at night, depending on the courtesy that is left by the roadside by my ‘so-called’ friendly drivers. I simply do not see any reason to play ‘hold-the-door open’ for someone who is half way across the parking lot. During the day (or even at night) when visibility and traffic is moderately light, there is no reason to play the so-called civility reception game with my head-lights.

First of all, I see 9 out of 10 drivers come right up on top of my bumper before passing me while the other lanes are clear with plenty of time to move over before getting so close. Yet, these guys are looking into their mirrors waiting for that special signal to get back over and again, while at the same time there is practically no one else on the road. Drivers who want the special signal to get back over are usually the same people who don’t take into consideration that tagging your rear trailer before getting over is just as dangerous as getting back into the right lane too early.

Every time I see a big truck trying to merge onto the highway I get over and let them in. Instead of backing off or speeding up so I can get back over in a timely fashion these trucks seem to find enjoyment out of letting you sit out in the passing lane. These guys are probably the same ones who want some one to flash them back into the right lanes.

Then of course there is the fuel isles… it never fails that whenever I go to fuel, the fuel isles are filled with trucks parked while the drivers are inside ordering lunch or taking a half hour bathroom break, meanwhile there is plenty of truck parking available in designated areas. Now I’m thinking that these are the same inconsiderate driver who are expecting some courtesy from their fellow drivers wanting to get flashed back in to the right lanes.

Then there’s the crusty individuals who pour out their pee bottle fragrance onto the parking lots so by the time the baking sun settles down by the end of the day the parking lots are enough to make you croak. Are these the same guys who are expecting some sort of thought on my part to exercise some returning courtesy?

How about the big rig who decides it is less distracting if he drives in the middle lane so he doesn’t have to periodically move over to allow traffic to merge onto the highway. Meanwhile he is on the cell phone and doesn’t have a care in the world as to if he is being discourtesy to his fellow drivers. And then there’re those who don’t even give you a chance to flash anyway because they apparently think that it is OK to merge back into the right lane abruptly after passing your front bumper.

It’s simple… you guys complain about wanting to be flashed back over when in fact you should be watching your mirrors to know exactly where in your mirrors the safe return is to get back over in the right lane. If you are watching or waiting for a flash from another vehicle (because it is an old tradition like tossing salt over your shoulder for good luck) then you obviously have not found the right viewpoint in the positioning of your mirrors. Not only that, but if you’re looking for some common courtesy out here on the road, then try practicing some of it yourselves like mentioned here. Bottom line is, many drivers want respect yet they can’t help acting pitiful themselves.

Personally, I don't have a problem with drivers 'flashing' me in. Flashing being the key word. If you get 'blinded' by a quick flash, then you shouldn't be on the road. It's the rare driver that turns on his high's for longer than just a flash, that are more of a problem. A quick flash is all that's needed. That being said, that's for trucks with daytime running lights. Otherwise, a quick on-off off the headlights would be better.

And on another topic, just because your lenses are clear, and not yellow, does not mean they are driving lights. The auxillary lights are FOG lights, not driving lights. You can buy clear lens, or yellow lens fog lights. If they were driving lights, why do they automatically go out when you turn your high beams on? Kinda defeats the purpose of DRIVING LIGHTS don't ya think?

From everything I've read, this seems to be a personal issue. Some people like it, some don't. So I guess it's a situation where it's impossible to make everyone happy. So y'all just keep doing what you do, I'll just keep doing what I do, some will thank me, some will complain and cuss at me. Oh, well.

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Always remember you are unique, just like everyone else.

I personally don't mind the flash in the daytime. I find it funny that sometimes I get the flash and still won't move over because I know I'm to close. I don't like night time flashes. If I'm not looking directly in the mirror its not bad, but I hate to glance and get hit with the brights at the same time. I don't do the flash thing at all. If someone wants over and I feel they are to close I just crack the throttle. I try to get a couple of vehicle lenghts in front before I move over, regardless of how many times they flash me. It happens everyday though that I'll move over to let another truck merge on only to have them hang me in the left lane. It's other trucks that tend to aggravate me these days. I expect 4 wheelers to do these things, but not trucks!

[quote=Rascally Road Warrior;513769]Then there’s the crusty individuals who pour out their pee bottle fragrance onto the parking lots so by the time the baking sun settles down by the end of the day the parking lots are enough to make you croak. Are these the same guys who are expecting some sort of thought on my part to exercise some returning courtesy?


I was at a t/s one time, saw driver get out of his truck and pee between his fuel tank and drive tires. He then proceeds into the truck stop. WTF?
I couldn't believe it! The sorry individual was going INTO the truck stop, but PEES in the parking lot. No wonder some parking lots stink to high heaven!

I really dislike drivers who BLIND me with their bright lights to let me know I can get over. And most of the time, I prefer a LOT more room between vehicles before I get over. I won't even acknowledge these drivers who feel it is their duty in life to blind people to let them know they are clear.
I learned a long time ago, to just turn my headlights off a couple of times to signal the driver. They always get the message.

I think this actually came from the germans on the autobahn. It is HIGHLY illegal over there to ride in the left lane and cars will come up behind you and flash to pass as if you don't get over it's a pretty serious ticket. Then in the european road racing leagues they run 3-4 classes of race cars together on the same track at the same time. The faster classes will let a slower car know they intend to pass and to please give way.