COMMON CURTESY

[The_Painting_Te]

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."

[Matt_Colie]

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

[Homer1]

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.

[rockhillmanor]

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.

[mlts22]

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.

[midnightsadie]

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

[DwnSth]

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.

[Valkyriebush]

I didn't know a response was expected. I do the same and leave it at that.

[OkSixpack]

I usually will turn my left turn signal off and back on for a couple of blinks. When a truck driver flashes his trailer lights, the trailer lights lights are the only ones that flash. The vehicles in front of them don't see any flashing lights. Most trucking companies don't allow the practice anymore for liability reasons. The light switches in most trucks seem to be easier to reach safely also. Don't lose any sleep over it, there are a lot of good reasons that people don't return your flashes......
Jim

[fj12ryder]

FunnyCamper wrote:
I never heard of using your flashers as a thank you. huh.

I hadn't thought of it either but makes a lot of sense. I wonder if there isn't some confusion about the term "flash". When I flash my lights at someone, I generally am hitting them with the high beams for a sec. When I signal that it's clear to pass me I turn the lights on and off a couple times. I never flash high beams indicating it's clear to pull in.

FWIW in some countries when you approach an intersection and flash your lights, that is a signal that it's okay for the person stopped to pull out. A very good reason not to flash your lights at someone stopped in front of you.

[coolmom42]

I had no idea that was considered "common courtesy." I'm guessing most people don't. And it's really not worth getting worked up about.

[mpierce]

dsheets wrote:
DOT regulations put a stop to the flashing of lights because of accidents.

Huh? Have 3 million miles in semi. Never heard of accident CAUSED by flashing lights when passing vehicle clear.

Not needed as much as used to. When most trucks ran 2 lane highways, before Interstates, flashing was NEEDED, so one could get back into lane asap because of on coming traffic.

Now, most freight goes on Interstates.

Less goes on with trucking too. New drivers do less. Newer trucks make it harder to do. Old trucks, the marker lights and the head lights were totally separate, now, when turn on headlights, the markers go on too.

[rdmike]

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
My take on this is that I do it and I appreciate it when someone flashes for me(well, not flash but turn the lights on and off without the high beams). The reason I do it for others is that generally there are others waiting in line to pass the one who just passed you, so as a means to let them know when they might get back over to allow others to pass, I flash. Pretty simple and whether someone flashes a sign of Thank's...I don't get bent out of shape about it.

Well said and agree.

[ford_truck_guy]

I guess I am from the old school....( at 51 ) .. I always make sure that I am clear for myself , once I KNOW that I am clear I take the lane , at that point IF I was flashed to move in , I hit the hazards for a second... It is common courtesy to acknowledge the assistance of others . .

[3oaks]

Keeping up with the flow of traffic in an RV can be really bad advice. Going around Atlanta at the going rate is scary and exceeds the speed rating on most tires. Traffic jams are not caused by people driving slow in the right hand lane.

Someone got that right!

Not just around Atlanta and not just exceeding the tire speed ratings, but exceeding the legal speed limit posted on the roadways. Many of which I catch up to further down the road at a construction zone or narrowing stretch of highway. Drivers in a hurry, disregarding speed limits, to get no where anything sooner is what causes traffic jams. We see it all the time. Speeding to keep up with the flow of traffic is a B.S. excuse!

[dsheets]

DOT regulations put a stop to the flashing of lights because of accidents.