No more flashing!

When I was 16 and got my driver’s license (4 wheeling), many of us were taught to look into the rear view mirror and when you saw the full length of the other car, it was safe to get back over. When I’m passing another truck I practice the same thing by using a particular spot in my fender mirror. As soon as I see the truck’s front in the upper part of my fender mirror (and after checking all my other blind spots), I know that it is safe to pull back into the other lane. I believe that it is more unsafe to rely on someone else’s suggested or courteousness “clear” sign rather than looking out for #1. With that in mind… unless I happen to see someone practicing this courtesy, I will not send a thank you in return. I will flash another driver over if I feel that it is necessary to do so in less favoring conditions, but don’t see where it is of any benefit to flash just because. It reminds me of someone holding the door open for another individual when that person is on the other side of the parking lot. If I happen to catch someone flashing out of the corner of my eye while passing, then I will send a courtesy flash back.

 

To me flashing, is like shaking someones hand, your acknowledging that they're there...

Now days it's more of a symbolic gesture than anything else...it just lets the other person know your looking out for them...like saying 'hi' or something...

It's just one of many things that use to make trucking 'special' and different than other proffesions...flashing is a carry over from the days when truckers had that 'road-bond'...
I guess...well anyways it sounded good...

 

I haven't read the entire thread because whoo boy, it's kinda long but I did want to mention that I never learned about flashing your four ways until a driver trainer told me to say thanks to a guy who had flashed me one night. Before that, I was completely clueless. I'm just glad it was my first job and I didn't have to go through feeling like a complete jacka*s for months afterward because I realized I was forgetting to be courtious.

Lots of newbies don't ever get told this so hey, who knows who's on the other end but I'm sure if they get that flash they appreciate it, especially at night.

Cheers

 

As a four wheeler, I've been irritated by this.

I was raised by an old hand so on vacations I learned that when a truck flashes me in, I should make sure to thank he or she with a quick blink of my hazard four ways.

Ya'll are professionals and don't need my help. So I normally don't flash a driver in unless its dark and traffic is tight. In the rare instance I do flash some one in I would say I get a thank you blink one time out five if not less which is very different than it used to be.

 

I just don't let it bug me. I will ALWAYS flip lights off (or with my Silverado, tap the brights quickly) for safety first, courtesy second.
It's a shame that courtesy has taken a back seat to the "me for me and me first" attitude of drivers today.
And get outta the fast lane, you dimwitted slug!

 

Personally, i feel that dimming is generally unessesary.

Unless:
1) It is raining or other bad weather.

AND/OR

2) If the person passing is towing doubles+triples or wide load or other special situation(s).

When i run doubles, i appreciate it when the person i pass (doesn't happen very often though as i try not to do too much passing when hauling doubles plus the fact that i can only run 66mph) dims their lights. And in that case i will blink the i.d. lights.

But, when i have a van i don't feel it's nessesary. If, however, someone does dim, then i will thank them with the i.d. lights.

3) Flashing the hi-beams in almost any situation should be frowned upon.

4) What i try to do when i believe dimming is warranted and what i believe to be the "correct" way to dim is:
When the passing truck has cleared your front bumper, dim you headlights leaving the markers on. Keep the headlights off until there is enough space for the truck to pull in---at least 50-100 feet? Then turn your headlights back on signifying to the passing truck that there is enough clearance to move into the lane.


So, basically, i feel in most cases dimming is unessesary i and don't do it or believe in it. If, however, someone does dim me, then i will blink the i.d. lights. However, occasionally, i will dim depending on what mood i'm in even if conditions 1 and 2 do not exist.

P.S. i also want you to know that dimming and turning back on the headlights puts unessesary stress on them each time you do it and shortens the life of the lights a little bit. There is, however, a special circuit or something you can buy that will remedy this.

 

I will interrupt my headlights as a courtesy to signal when a truck can move in front of me or if they are heading toward a speed trap, most of the time I receive a "thanks" signal. My F-150 doesn't have DRL's. I'm not yet a trucker. This is how I was taught to drive, despite the officials (driver's ed instructors) telling me it was illegal and unsafe. I have heard stories of people being stopped by johnny law for this.

On the note of Daytime Running Lights- my father (drove truck for over 50 years, accident free) did not like them because he could not turn them off when going through tolls, in addition to the difficulty with "flashing" passing signals.

 

Throwing high beams in another trucks mirrors is just plain wrong and up sets "a many"
The flash to pass was a courtesy back before regs put the marker lights on the outside rear(red).
There is no call for flashing,no matter how brief.
When flashed in such a manner I generally move right
without signaling.
Straight up ! its considered a "ROOKIE" move and common with
"freight haulers"(common term for day-cab peddle drivers/line haul)

If you do it,STOP IT ! and your fellow drivers will appreciate the lack of an all to common annoyance.

 

I'm actually surprised at the variance of opinions on this. I knew I'd have some disgruntlement over the Silverado's lack of headlight control, so I usually just tell a driver on the CB that he's clear...but few have their radios on anymore, so I'd just "flick" the lever for a brief pop of the highs (I can't turn off the lights) and usually get a "thankya" flash of markers back at me.
After this thread, I'm not sure if I should be courteous any more at all. I know as a driver I always hated the highs in my eyes right when I looked over. Especially when I'd been driving for 15 hours or so; they seem twice as bright.

 

Greetings,

I have stumbled across this site before and was too busy at the moment to join but when I came across this Forum Topic tonight I was ready to lose sleep just to join and state MY opinion on this specific subject. I know there are many more Very Important subjects and topics to post and comment on to do with this industry and the economy. But this is just something I came across tonight that has really been bothering me lately because I drive mostly at night in a wide open truck and pass constantly, and really believe this is becoming a Safety Issue on our roads.
(Speaking of bright lights, If you need your High Beams on a highway with other vehicles in view than stop driving at night fourwheelers.)

Basically I think all the posters have good points but I fully agree with FriedTater's whole post and especially this comment, "Throwing high beams in another trucks mirrors is just plain wrong and upsets" many of us Drivers.

Also I would have to agree with Powell Perelta's whole post, and nice name by the way. (I grew up with the Bones Brigade movies)

***
SO HERE IS MY DEAL AND I'll appologize in advance for being so long winded but just here me out...
***
This whole "FLASHING of the HIGH BEAMS" to "Help" someone back over to your lane NEEDS TO STOP RIGHT NOW!!!!!

First of all it is VERY UNSAFE and Very Annoying!!!!!

Second, I ask Why would anybody think that Flashing High Beam Headlights at someone is a courtesy? Flashing of high beams is used when a slow vehicle is in the fast lane...ie..."MOVE OVER"!!!

I really feel like the other driver is Yelling at me...let alone the fact that I am blinded for a second and then see spots for a minutes thereafter.
This is why I say it is UNSAFE, and yes it IS actually illegal in many places.

Nowadays because I am so used to almost any kind of vehicle FLASHING me back over, I don't even look in the mirror until they DO Flash me so I don't get blinded. When this happens I basically just ignore them and get back over when I feel like it, (later than sooner, unless there is traffic behind me) and then I don't even acknowledge them so that maybe they will get tired of doing it with no thanks back. Also what is the point of flashing ME after I blew your doors off and am way down the road? I sometimes feel like they are just doing it to me because they are mad they can't go whatever speed they want to like I can. Also what is the RUSH when we are only vehicles in the immediate proximity. Maybe I am driving in hammer lane because the granny in too bumpy and I will move over when another vehicle is approaching. Bottom line is really don't need your help when I am obviously way past you already.

Now please don't get me wrong, DIMMING the headlights is completely different and SHOULD only be used in certain situations like Bad Weather, When there is traffic behind the passer, Construction zones, Speed Zones and/or when you are in a Split/Slow Speed limit State.

I do also understand that many vehicles nowadays can't DIM their lights and when I do receive a VERY VERY Quick Flash in the specific situations I stated above and a few others, I DO BLINK my markers back to say thanks. But again if there is no need for it than WHY even do it? If you want to say "HI", or show some kind of common courtesy, then just DIM, or if during the daytime, then Wave when the driver comes by, which I do most of the time. But what ever happen to Waving? I get more dirty looks when I am passing or being passed while I Am Waving to say "HI" these days...What ever happened to WAVING? Sorry bout that, I know that is a whole other topic.
Speaking of Daytime..Again, if there is not a reason for it, then Why even bother when most drivers don't See it anyways. I have received comments on the CB that I am not thankful for the courtesy when I didn't even see it at all because again we are the only two vehicles around so why can't I just get back over when I want, Whats the RUSH?

Again, If you want to say "HI" just return my WAVE when I come by during the day, or DIM (or VERY VERY quick flash) me over at night.

I have now come to the opinion that it should be made a seriously enforced LAW that you are NOT ALLOWED to have your BRIGHT LIGHTS on AT ALL WHEN there is ANOTHER VEHICLE IN your VIEW (coming or going). AND THE ONLY REASON I SUGGEST THIS IS FOR SAFETY.

Truck Drivers of all types and also more and more four wheelers, straight trucks, u-hauls, etc, are "FLASHING HIGH BEAMS" and/or TURNING THEM ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY these days and I think the reason is that most of the drivers that do this don't pass very much so their perception of flashing is very different than mine because they only receive it once in a while. But most importantly, I am the Passer who is being constantly Flashed and I DON'T LIKE IT, SO PLEASE JUST STOP!!!!!

Thanks for listening and JUST THINK ABOUT IT....
ALL OPINIONS ASIDE...

FLASHING HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AT ANOTHER VEHICLE IS PLAIN UNSAFE and UNNECESSARY FOR ANY REASON!!!
(except a very reasonable VERY quick flash if you can't dim)

Please O Please STOP FLASHING THE HIGH BEAMS and STOP NOW before you blind someone OFF THE ROAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As Always...Be Happy, Be Thankful, Be Safe, Keep the shiny side up and GOD BLESS!!!!!

LARGO