COMMON CURTESY

It's the difference bertween a pro driver and a weekend warrior. Even tho a person mightn't be a trained up professional driver, if they have developed the skills and awarenesses, flashing of the lights is all part of the trade. Those that don't have those skills...see it differently.


Gary Haupt

WyoTraveler wrote:
I suspect many RVers that have not driven commercially probably are unaware of the custom.

This is new info to me.

Too many crazies, druggies and foreigners on our highways today. People interpret things differently. I'm not interested in a vehicle hitting his brakes in front of me, a bullet hole in my RV or a couple flat tires when we leave in the morning.

I know most won't agree with me.

I find the practice more prominent here on the west coast. Having grown up in the days of two lane roads flashing lights to help passing was very common. While I have a good rear view camera I still respect the truckers that flash their lights and reply. That is what that UCC button on my smart wheel is for.:)

Much of the custom has somewhat evaporated due to changes in highways and attitudes of drivers. However, it is still a very prominent custom between Truckers on our mountain passes. It just doesn't cost anything to be nice!

Most of us who grew up in the forties and fifties generally are a little different breed than the kids on the highways today.

Flashing "thanks" whether you needed it or not was a courtesy used my most on the highway a few years ago. About 50% of the truckers still do. Most RVers do not and I just assume they may be busy controlling their rig and write it off. I personally appreciate it, but do not depend on it. The one who really honks me off is the guy who decides because he flipped his turn signal he can cut in front of me to let a truck on the super slab when there is very little room for him. I do not like that, I leave enough room for emergencies between me and the guy in front of me, this guy plugs it up.

I suspect many RVers that have not driven commercially probably are unaware of the custom.

I just don't see flashing back as a common courtesy. For one thing, unless you are in a long line of tight traffic particularly at night, there's just no purpose to flashing a vehicle to pull in. For myself, I prefer to use my own judgement before turning back into a slower lane.

Having towed several race haulers over the years, I've had folks flash just because they were race fans.

Maybe they ; or at least some of them ; may not have seen your flash ?

jfkmk wrote:
I also make sure it's safe to change lanes before doing so, regardless if someone flashes their lights. However, if some pays me this curtesy, I'll acknowledge them.

X2. If someone flashesfor me, I still pull over when I feel comfortable, but will then flash a thank you.

No big deal, but I'll flash back if I see the flash. Sometimes I'll flash at a passing semi/RV, but normally only if they need to get back in fairly quickly, and letting them know they're clear seems like a good idea.