Why do truckers flash their brights when there's room to change lanes?

Question

I've noticed truckers on the highway flash their brights when they let other truckers in. Is there a rhyme or reason? Double flash means there is room, single flash means not? Anything like that?

Answer 1

FIRST they DO NOT FLASH HIGH BEAMS , THEY TURN THE LOW BEAMS OFF AND THEN BACK ON!!! When 4-wheelers (derogatory term for cars and pick-ups) flash their high beams to let in a BIG TRUCK ( term preferred by real drivers) the CB is full of comments. It is reffered to as "FLASHING" someone in and when done properly will result in the other driver blinking their trailer lights at you as a way to say thanks. As for why they do it ,it's to get out of the "HAMMER LANE" (left lane to you 4-wheelers-lol) and not move over on some car in the "GRANNY LANE" ( thats the slow lane or the right lane to you) when its dark and or raining having someone flash you in is a great comfort as you know you can move over safely

Answer 2

It is a curtious thing for them..... If a trucker wants to change lanes and there is another trucker in the lane he wants to get into.... the lights are flashed to say "hey it clear come on over" I do it for them all the time.....

Answer 3

Hey, it takes balls to drive something that weighs in at 80,000 pounds. And yes, by god you have to be smart also. This light exchange is just a courtesy. If you watch, a lot of times you will see some of the entering trucks back lights, "courtesy lights", flash in thanks. If you help a trucker out on the road, I promise you he will thank you. Be safe!

Answer 4

I agree with soggy :-)

Also - you need to be sure to give these trucks the space that's needed - there is a WHOLE LOT more time needed to stop/slow these trucks down than a regualr vehicle.

Drivers surrounding truckers should be able to see BOTH of the big rigs headlights before they switch lanes in front of them.

Answer 5

Everyone who said it's a courtesy for drivers to flash the brights when it's safe for a truck to get in front of them is correct. That much is obvious. What may not be so obvious is that Josh S is a complete idiot. Actually, maybe it IS obvious.

Answer 6

as a substitute of attempting to memorize some rule... how approximately expertise the clarification why? Being predictable is a thank you to be secure. If human beings can see what you're approximately to do, then they are able to conform with it, or a minimum of be warned. while you're unpredictable, it truly is risky. So, what do you think of? in case you desire to be predictable, whilst might you hit your blinker? as quickly as you comprehend you desire to alter lanes, i might say. Oh, and turn your head. you may not truly *get* what's occurring around you with merely the mirrors. ok, while you're like John McCain and your head in easy terms turns 10 stages, nicely ok. yet in any different case, turn your head like Carrie and pass see what's in the back of you. On maximum vehicles, there's no "blind spot" once you turn your head. it truly is why your neck does that. it truly is why there are homestead windows all the way around. Mirrors are intense-high quality, yet for a lane substitute you relatively need to nicely known what's there.

Answer 7

it would help if everyone on the road were that courtious there would be a lot less accidents no code flash of any kind means your all clear to move over yes i drove big rigs for a while

Answer 8

TRUCKERS RULE THE ROAD... these blinking signs are so cool and i always give em 2 blinks when they have let me pass.

Answer 9

Its a common practice since depth perception can be off when driving something that long. Its nothing more than a courtesy for most.

Answer 10

No the only reason they do this is to inform the driver ahead that he has room, cause at nite its hard to exactly determine the distance, they just do it out of kind hearted.