Amazed at the Lack of Courtesy Anymore

I was on I-57/70 heading east few nights ago, when another driver makes his way up the on-ramp from HWY-45. I was a little boxed in, so i could not move over, so the safe thing to do was to slow down and brake. I flash him to tell him i was making room. And no 'thank you' flash back or comment over the radio. A mile or so later HE brakes, slowing me down to 40 because he didnt plan ahead and get his butt over to take I-57 split to Chicago. After he had done this, i got on my radio and said, "wow....what a lack of courtesy..." To which he said, "...how can you say that when i got onto the interstate late...". Which tells me two things, he had his radio on and he didnt plan ahead. Granted, from the on-ramp to the I-57 split to go north, its half a mile to not quite 3/4 mile. Still plenty of time to pace yourself, and get your tail over. Not slow down to 40mph in the last 1/8th mile to get over.

Also, whats the deal with drivers who refuse to give a 'thank you' flash to drivers who are courteous enough to flash over in the first place? I took note how many times i've flashed in the past 24 hours. I flashed over atleast 30 trucks, and got only 4 'thank you' flashes back. Is it really that hard to say 'thank you' anymore?? Although i think it has to do more with vet drivers with egos and big heads and how much they hate certian companies. For example, i was on I-80 going west into Iowa. Saw one driver who was doing 60-61. Watched him for at least 5-8 miles, and he flashed every driver over. I finally get up to him, pass him going downhill....and becuase i drive for Swift, you think i got a flash?? naturally i didn't. So in morse code i flashed back "F" and a "U".....wonder if he got that.

 

My husband talks about this all the time. Says he prefers drive middle of the night, becuase generally the trucks on the road tend to be more old school...just able to help each other out, got radios on, and able to cut up and have a good time....

Over the last week he has said he has not seen so many inconsiderate drivers on the road during the day light hours...from NJ to TX...no flash backs, leaving him hanging in the left lane when he does get over, passing and slowing down etc ect

 

I think alot of it has to do with, some of these young "noobs", have not been taught "road ettiquette 101".

And/or, they were never taught proper simple courtesy to begin with, or WERE, but are still in their "rebellious little boy" stage, and if something is EXPECTED of them, they are simply "NOT gonna do it!! "

For what ever reasons, I have noticed that there is a real lack of courtesy these days, not just from other drivers, but society as a whole.

Judi Kay

 

I'd say that out of the ten times I flash, I get a thank you flash two times in return.

That doesn't mean that i'm going to stop though. I know that I for one do appreciate the fact that some other drivers are willing to flash for me.

 

Simplyred gave a good answer, society as a whole.........

 

yet another reason why i prefer to drive during the overnight hours 90% of the time. there's less hassle from everybody. i have my radio on but i don't really speak unless it's something important. the chp are also pretty chill about truckers doing 60-65mph.

 

Unfortunately most of the big (CDL mill) companies discourage the practice. (They say it's a liability issue) Most of the idiots coming out of these CDL mills are not truckers, They are people that have no other alternative in life so they decided that they'd try trucking...Most of them suck at it!
I flash all trucks over and if they don't return the courtesy, So what? They're the jerks, Not me. Those of us that are the real deal recognize each other and we easily see the 90 day wonders that'll be gone in six months or a year and be back working at Burger King or some other lucrative career.

 

To expand ou your post, if I may, new drivers will only be as good as their trainers! And we are all well aware of what some trainers are good for!
So, to all trainers out there, this is a question that you must ask yourself: Am I a part of the solution or a part of the problem?

 

You are so right....exactly what I was thinking...

 

Maybe it's habit, but I flash over even in my 4-wheeler...