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."

[Romer1]

ams1130 wrote:
Not bothering to read every response. DH was taught somewhere along the line to double flash his headlights to indicate he was going to pass a semi. Real, real, old wives tale or did any one else do this?

No,thread is about flashing so semi knows it's OK to pull back in.

[3ares]

Posted: 01/05/16 02:20pm Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator
Not bothering to read every response. DH was taught somewhere along the line to double flash his headlights to indicate he was going to pass a semi. Real, real, old wives tale or did any one else do this?

Ford F150
2014 KZ Sportsmen S242SBH




This has been something I do when passing any car or truck.

Happy Camping

[ams1130]

Not bothering to read every response. DH was taught somewhere along the line to double flash his headlights to indicate he was going to pass a semi. Real, real, old wives tale or did any one else do this?

[3ares]

I also make sure it's safe to change lanes after passing, regardless if someone flashes their lights. However, if someone pays me this curtesy, I'll acknowledge them. Two sets of eyes are better than one set. Just ask DW.

Happy Camping

[Walaby]

The_Painting_Teacher wrote:
Really surprised at some of the responses. My folks taught me to never miss an opportunity to say thank you when someone is trying to help you whether you need it or not. Truly sad to see how our society has coarsened. I will continue to flash my lights to all, even those who feel they don't want it or need it. Camp on!

I agree.... Truly sad how society has changed. I will continue to flash folks to let them know it's clear, even if they don't need it. I will continue to acknowledge those who do the same, even though I won't rely on it, and will still accept my responsibility to ensure it's clear.

Now, can we go back to more important things, like "what vacuum cleaner do you use"?.

Mike

[jandjbaums]

mpierce wrote:

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.

Yep never heard of any in 37 yrs. The last 12 being local, glad im home everyday! Its scary out there.

[Sprink-Fitter]

pitch wrote:

Tom N wrote:
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.

You are kidding right? How do you dare venture out of your home?

That's what I thought also.

[colliehauler]

Billinwoodland wrote:
I always flash when passing rigs (MH, TT, 5er, or trucker) can move over, and I always acknowledge when someone does the same for me. Yes, I still use my own judgement and I don't rely on the signal to mover over. And I never worry about someone not returning the favor.

Same here. I will also block traffic so a semi can change lanes. Several truck drivers have done the same for me. I have found in large cities people in cars will not let you in to change lane's.

[Billinwoodland]

I always flash when passing rigs (MH, TT, 5er, or trucker) can move over, and I always acknowledge when someone does the same for me. Yes, I still use my own judgement and I don't rely on the signal to mover over. And I never worry about someone not returning the favor.

[pitch]

Tom N wrote:
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.

You are kidding right? How do you dare venture out of your home?

[Georgew48]

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

[cruiserjs]

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!!

[Cloud_Dancer]

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.

[mgirardo]

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