COMMON CURTESY

My brand new motorhome came with an ICC switch ( Interstate Commerence Commissin) that is made for the purpose of flashing the clearance lights.

BB_TX wrote:
Why let something like that bother you. I typically flash my lights also. If they give a flash in return, fine. If not, I just assume they don't know what truckers normally do. No big deal either way. And certainly not going to let it bother me.

X2 here. Too much in life too worry about. Relax friend!!

IMO forget about it. I only wish that 18-wheeler drivers would WAIT for a signal. Heck no, they just pass you and immediately move back into your face! Of course, I've learned to anticipate this, and I immediately move into the passing lane. Of course, being a "rear-view mirror driver" I make sure there's no conflicting traffic.

The_Painting_Teacher wrote:
Just drove 2 1/2 days from Cape Cod Mass to St Augustine FL at slightly below the speed limit (2 - 3 mph to reduce the resetting of cruise control). I had a total of 9 RV's pass me ... Class A + C, 5'ers, and TT's. As they passed, I flashed my lights to let them know it was safe to pull back in ... a time-honored custom. Not one .. NOT A SINGLE ONE had the courtesy to put on flashers for a second to acknowledge my signal. Truckers? About 85%. I will continue the practice for safety sake, but it would be nice to have that custom extended with a "Thanks fellow RV'er."

I am 42 and learned to drive in suburbia. My parents and driver's ed instructor never mentioned that flashing lights at a passing vehicle to let them know it was safe to move over was the thing to do. The only reason I know what it means is because on a road trip in a car to Florida many years ago, I got annoyed at the truckers that were flashing their lights at me after I passed them. I mentioned it to another person in the car with me and he explained why it happened. Of the 4 of us in the car, only 1 knew why it was done.

I do not respond with flashers when someone blinks their lights at me. The proper response that I was taught was to tap the brake pedal 3 times. That is what I do.

Having driven up and down I-95 6+ times a year for the last decade, the trend is definitely moving away from flashing headlights at passing vehicles to inform them it is safe to pull back in.

-Michael

I think someone's age is showing. I always did the light flash signals any time I was driving anything bigger than a 4 wheeler.

When CB's came along, that slowed the practice among trucks.

In our old coach, we seldom pass anybody, but when I invite a truck to come back into my lane, I usually get a thank you flash. The CB in the coach dies a long time ago and I just haven't bothered to find a new one.

Matt

I seriously doubt that in daylight a quick flash of the brights is going to bother any one driving any sort of vehicle. At night it could be a different story, although I seriously doubt any ill effect it might have for a "second".I try to judge my actions according to the traffic conditions we are driving in at the time. I will always acknowledge your flash, I know you are trying to help.

Most RV people don't even know what that means.

I always do it for a semi passing and pulling back in. THEY know what it means and they always flash their tail lights as a thank you.

I think it is because people tend to be rude in the cities. The last few times I have had someone flash lights is because they were tailgating and were demanding people pull over so they can pass... on a one lane road.

some do some don,t its not a thing to loose sleep over, me ? some times I do ,some times I don,t.

I may have been doing this wrong for years. Typically, when there is traffic and truck or other RV is passing, I'll flash brights for a second to let them know it's OK to pull back in lane. 90% of the time truck will blink their tail lights, RV's almost never. I've always wondered if trucks have a separate and easily accessed switch to control just the trailer lights. Typically TT's do not and the light control may or may not be handy while driving in heavy traffic. I've had truckers flash brights or blink headlights when it's safe for me to move back. While not always needed, in heavy traffic conditions it is appreciated. Occasionally, I've blinked my lights back but that requires completely turning off all my lights with a switch that is not in the best location. I'm wondering if flashing my brights has been wrong all these years. I've never noticed a negative reaction from any trucker.