No more flashing!

Were you two running daycabs?

 

He was, a ragged old freightliner pulling a container. I've got an 06 KW with a 475 cat that may or may not have been turned up to 550hp (bit of trouble pinning the office people down on that one.) I knew I could outrun him, he just made it annoying.

 

What is funny was I learned this a few years ago when I drove for a motor coach company.

The first time I was flashed, I was like "hey . . . that was cool! thanks buddy!" and gave him a hazard light thank you.

From that point on, I flashed, and still flash every tractor and motor coach that passes me.

I even got a compliment from it last year. I was driving a school bus to a football game that was 3 hours away, and I flashed a truck over. A few minutes later, we pull into the rest stop, and I notice the truck.

A man came up to me, and asked me if I used to be a trucker. I asked him why, and he said that no one but truckers flash when it is clear . . . . and even that is iffy.

 

I still get flashed by quite a few cars, I appreciate it every time.

 

All I ask is that you don't blind the crap outta me at night(usually happens at the same time as I am looking in my mirror). I will acknowledge this practice, but not in a nice or polite manner. Bright lights are not appropriate. I will extend the thank you when a driver signals (ie: turns off his lights, then back on again) that I have passed. Note: I will return to my lane when I deem an appropriate distance has passed or may stay out to avoid other issues in traffic, so don't get huffy if I don't immediately return to the right lane or "thank you" right away. I do, however, appreciate the gesture.

 

My sentiments exactly.

 

There's also a special switch in many rigs that "interrupt" your marker lights. Flashing those on and off is also a "thank you". I'm a courteous person too, so during the daytime I'll hit my flashers, and at night blink the tail lights. EVEN or ESPECIALLY when 4 wheelers do it. I figure they're either an off duty Driver, or a relative of one... But giving out a trucker "thanks" to a non-Driver is a good way to spread goodwill.

 

Great thread topic. My grandpa taught me to flash the headlights to passing truckers, seeing I would ride with him every summer when I was growing up. I then taught it to my wife while we were moving across the country. It was so funny whenever I'd flash the lights and a trucker wouldn't blink back, she'd get so pissed. Then when they did blink back she would giggle and say it was so cool.

 

Imagine that.
Your wife and I have the same reaction when it comes to
blink-blink -- flash-flash, or lack thereof. Especially after doin' 'em a favor by backin' outta the throttle so they can scooch over sooner in heavy city traffic. Thanks -----
But no thanks.

I don't expect the general motoring public to flash their lights for us, or even be aware of the custom. I do appreciate the gesture when they do though. Kind of a warm feelin', ..... like acknowledgment that someone out there knows y'all exist. Wavin' HowdY as they go their way and I go where my dispatcher tells me.

BlinK-BlinK --- FlasH-FlasH

 

With 25 pages so far I'm not even going to read them all!

I've been doing this since I got out of the Army in 1975. The interstate system was still not completed especially in the south and when the they finally got I20 and 285 and 85 and several others done the running of the 2 lane roads pretty much came to an end.

Most of you have this thing that on an INTERSTATE with more than 1 lane going in your direction you need to flash over a truck.
WHY? I have NEVER understood this. Is there an on coming car or truck heading towards the truck that just passed you and you need to tell the driver, ok get over here before you hit this guy?

THAT is why flashing came about! 2 lane roads, slow trucks and not much room to pass. Yep we knew when on the 2lanes that if you got passed we signaled especially if we saw on coming traffic and we ALSO slowed down a bit so the passer could get back in. You don't even see these "super truckers" slow down a bit when they are getting passed and they sit beside each other to see which 65 MPH truck will win the race and you guys whine about not getting flashed back over on an interstate!
GET A LIFE! You do not need to be flashed over. I've had morons and that's the only way to describe them, flash me back when I maybe had 5 feet between the truck and his nose! Really smart, as I've seen other idiots (same reason) take that 5 feet! Accidents waiting to happen and with me right there to be a witness! THAT you DO NOT want! Cause if you involved me I WILL tell the officers who screwed up and guess who it will be?

Then in CA guess what? Flash someone and they pull in before they have the minimum following distance (1 second rule for each 10 MPH)and if a CHP sees it guess what tickets you get? Speeding if over 55 and a following to closely! I know I got the ticket back in '92 and quit flashing except when on the 2 lanes!

Now I will flash my markers everytime I pass someone even if I don't seee them flash me as I only look once and at my age these trainees that have to high beam you manage to flash them when you look in the mirror even if you wait for 200 yards! Never fails! You look and yep movie star eyes! Can't see a thing!

If you have day light running lights don't bother! And don't pull the fuse! They are there for a reason but you guys that do pull the fuses don't have an idea why they were put on the truck. Think 4 wheeler idiots that can't see the truck and SUE! Whats the rule in Canada? Don't they have a law about DRL's?

Every driver out here can see when he's passed someone! Interstate highways at speed you should not even be THINKING of coming back over until you have at least 2 truck lengths behind you! Why do you drivers think you need to jump back with 10- 20 feet distance? HMMM? You ever see a rock come off a tire into your windshield or piece of tire? Or are you scared that the 4 wheeler under your ICC bumper is going to pass you on the right? SO WHAT! There is NO law that says you can not pass on the right on a 2 lane interstate or 4 lane roadway! If you are half what you think you are as a driver put the blinker on and after he passes you because he's in a hurry and he's gone out of your life then pull over!

Yes, I'm an arse, but I've got more experience than most of you and I've got thick skin!.

It doesn't hurt my poor feelings if some driver doesn't flash me over. I'm not offended! He's following the new rules outlined in the CDL drivers manual! And besides, he might be too comfortable with his feet up on the dash, his i Pod going or cell talking and doesn't wish to have to change positions to reach the dash! Thank God he was even too lazy to reach for the high beams!

I don't need high beams flashed in my bifocals!

I will flash my markers at every truck I pass just in case, as I do say thank you!

It's the 21st century. Time to get out of the dark ages!

BUT if you DO get passed on a back road 2 lane highway, FLASH! You don't want to be part of the wreck that's about to happen!