No more flashing!

About 3 years ago I had some woman flash me while driving. I thoroughly enjoy being flashed.

 

Flash
Flash
Blink
NO!!
Don't BLINK

Check 'em out ---------------------

Blink
Blink:smt120
Later.
Maybe
Boink
Boink
Sooner. :smt058
:smt102

 

I still flash over passing trucks but not near as much as I used to. I spose its because it gets old flashing over upwards of 15 to 20 trucks a night. Not to mention the increased wear and tear on my headlight switch and yes, increased wear because there's been a few times when I had to turn the switch back off and back on again because the headlights didn't come on when they were supposed to!

Now, I still flash if I feel you need it which is if there's impatient traffic behind you. If we're the only two trucks on the road, don't expect a headlight flash from me unless you are only goin a few milean hour faster than me, which brings me to my rant portion........

If you don't get flashed over especially if its not any of those situations listed above, don't be a jackarse and flash your lights at the driver you just passed because flashing a passing driver over is NOT a requirement so stop treating it like it is. It is merely a courtesy, always has been and always will be, well, unless the gooberment one day decides to outlaw it.

I realize that some drivers may get confused as to whether or not they saw headlights flash at them depending on the situation at hand but with some drivers, I know they're out there because I've read on here that some of them do the flashback anyway when they don't get flashed over, there is no confusion and that they are being childish because they expect every driver they pass to flash them over.

I'm not gonna speak for everybody but depending on the mood I am in some night, you might get a few flashes of the highbeams in your mirrors if you blink your tails or four-ways at me just because you expected me to flash you over like its my job to rather than necessity.

 

This would indicate to me there is an existing issue. Of all the trucks I have driven over the years, I've never had an issue with all the times I have flicked my lights off to another driver. Because I've never had an issue with the amount of times I have used a switch, doesn't preclude it is impossible. I also tend to believe that the designers know how, and what, we do with these trucks and will take that into account when choosing a switch style.

This is a very true statement, and yet courtesy between drivers, or the lack thereof, is what many of us are taking issue with. Ghandi once said, "BE the change you wish to see in the world. I will not give up on wanting to see courtesy between drivers returned back to the way it once was.

I would like for you to think about this. You know as well as anyone else here how high beams effect the drivers in front of you, not to mention those traveling the other way. I certainly do not want another driver in front of me who now has limited vision due to light spots in their eyes.


For those who can't figure out another means to let another driver know it's clear to change lanes, don't be so lazy and grab the CB and actually talk. The more who do it, the more will exponentially.

 

This truck never seemed to have an issue with it either up untill about 8 months of fairly consecutive and heavy use of the switch when it did it that first time. But when I started having issues with my footwell lights not working all the sudden and actually throwing an ecm code on the dash, l put two and two together when I stopped having problems with the footwell lights after I quit using them all night, every night.

That may be the case with some trucks but if it is the case, then why do some trucks have a push button for the headlights on the steering wheel? Is it there for easier flashing or to encourage the driver to use the button switch which it was probably designed for and not the headlight switch which in my opinion wasn't designed for, atleast in the truck I drive?

So, the answer you and most drivers think the proper way to handle the situation is to treat a courtesy as a requirement........ HMM. Well, I know what a courtesy is and when the conditions warrant it, as I stated above.

Well, if that's your opinion, that is your right but if you flash your tails at me anyway for not giving you your "required" flash, don't get mad if you get a few flashes of highbeams in your mirrors.

The way I see it, you would be bringing it on yourself. You could just let it go and leave it be then there would be no mirror-fulls of bright lights. Your sort of "logic" would in a sence be considered as the first wrong.

You wanna talk about courtesy, is It really even necessary to flash your tails if you don't get the flash?? Is that supposed to change the past? There's nothing gained so why do it?

The few times I get to pass someone, I very rarely get the "required" flash. I dunno, maybe its because of that 7 letter word on the back of my trailer that starts with the letter "E". Either way, I don't get grumpy if I don't get the dlash and neither should you. I've only been driving for two years and I know how much room I need before I get back in the granny lane.

Again, I'm not going to speak for everyone, but flashing your tails at me even though I never flashed you over is not a very "encouraging" way to handle it. As a matter of fact, I take it as an insult especially if I feel that flashing you over was completely unnnecessary.

That's why I only give a couple quick flashes. If that blinds you or other drivers then there's other issues at hand.

It's not laziness. its more less tired of flashing so many trucks over each night. maybe if I could run faster than 62 or if I had that little push button on my steering wheel rather than having to turn my headlight switch on and off, I'd be little more apt to do it but regardless, it still is pointless when there's no one behind you or if you pass me so fast that i might as well be sitting still.

 

Oooops,I thought this thread was about something else... Outta here..

 

Perhaps try not to internalize such things? It will save you stress in the long run. While you personally may not appreciate when someone does this, I have seen many drivers do it as a means of silent teaching, "Teach by doing" sort of thing. And as you also said before, someone may not know if you've flashed them or not (because they may feel they missed it) and courtesy also indicates it's better to mistakenly thank someone rather than to not thank them for something they actually did.

I have done this myself in the past, and will in the future. As I just said, it's better to thank someone if unsure, than to not thank them at all.

Why take the chance of blinding another driver? I mean, just don't do it and there will be no issue at all. We have enough dangers out here on the road without unnecessarily adding to them. I am fairly sure we can all agree to that last sentence, yes?

While this was not exactly directed to you, one thing you said above really stands out to me. You are tired of flashing so many trucks and are driving a truck governed at 62mph. I can understand your frustration with this, and somewhat empathize with you. This being said, I still cannot accept flashing the high beams as an acceptable means of communication between drivers.

 

now, who would thought it???? not you??? LOL

 

well this has prob. been said, didnt read all the posts...BUT if you use ur high beams to flash me, or hubby, you WONT GET A thank you...if are too lazy to reach over and turn your headlights of and on...DONT BOTHER!!!!! esp at night....right when i look in my mirror to make sure i am clear..BAM bright lights....then SPOTS!!!! its NOT SAFE!!!! thanks, but no thanks...

 

You're right, that's why I try to refrain as much as possible for reacting the way I do and ignore it because for one, if the passer is actually blinking their lights at me out of anger for not giving them what they wanted, it doesn't make me any better of a person by doing my reaction and for two, it might just be out of confusion, there just ain't no way to tell unless the blink blink is followed by a rude remark on the radio.

Of course we can.

True but when a driver does something stupid, common courtesy pretty much goes out the window.

I was gonna give thanks to this post but since a few quick flashes of the highbeams to flash me over really doesn't bother me, even at night, I have to refrain.