when a semi is passing and just clears your front bumper enough for safety....use to turn off lights briefly to signal all clear. But with automatic lights I can't seem to do that. Will "flash to pass" highbeams send the same message? I posted this question on the truck board but I think it got lost in space. I don't want the trucker to think I giving him a "in your mirror, buddy" message, just want to help him get back into the lane asap,especially in rain or snow conditions. Leo
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- Thread starter IA Leo
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James Howell
Well-known Member
Nancy and I spend several hours on Interstate Highway 30 every weekend back and forth to the farm in NE Texas.
When a semi is passing and makes a right turn signal, I flash my headlights 3 times.
When a semi is passing and does not make a right turn signal, I flash my headlights 1 time.
Seems like the courteous thing to do.
When a semi is passing and makes a right turn signal, I flash my headlights 3 times.
When a semi is passing and does not make a right turn signal, I flash my headlights 1 time.
Seems like the courteous thing to do.
As a retired Trailer driver, I always when being passed drop to low beam they are passing, then when clear hold hi for a second and back to low. the passing truck usually responds by flashing their clearance lights as a thank you. then turns on their signal to come back in lane.
If you were in PA I would take several flashes as the vehicle I just passed needs help, or something wrong with my rig
If you were in PA I would take several flashes as the vehicle I just passed needs help, or something wrong with my rig
Either signal gives the truck driver the same meaning that he is clear to get over. I don"t drive a tractor and trailer but I do drive a large truck and as such usually get accorded the same courtesy as the semi"s. That said I"ve seen both signals used to give me the all clear from both small vehicles and also from the semi"s. So, don"t worry about pi$$ing somebody off, they all know what your saying and appreciate it.
BDT in Minnesota
Member
It is polite of the truck driver to flash his clearance lites to "say" THANK YOU after they have completed the pass... You are so correct that modern vehicles don't leave much of a provision to douse the lites.. The flashes are OK with me,,, When I have 40tons rolling down the road at highway speed, I am mainly watching what is in front of me more than stare-ing at the rearview mirror... That rearview mirror gets frequent glances, not steady stares...So I don't mind the flashes... It is also ok to know that people out on the road are alert and on the ball...This is an easy way for both drivers to verify this, and In a way send a goodwill message down the road with the other driver..
Walterdavies
Member
In some states like California its against the law to flash you light. I don't think any truckers ever pay much attention to it.
Sometimes they make real stupid laws. In Oregon you have to wait for a person standing on the curb if he is on your side of the road. Funny people on the sidewalk don't have any right of way over autos.
Walt
Sometimes they make real stupid laws. In Oregon you have to wait for a person standing on the curb if he is on your side of the road. Funny people on the sidewalk don't have any right of way over autos.
Walt
James Howell
Well-known Member
Here in Dallas with up to 5 lanes of metro traffic, I try to be as careful as possible when flashing my lights.
Literally one second there is a clear lane to move over, then from out of nowhere appears a vehicle usually weaving in and out of traffic.
In slow, heavy traffic my preference is behind a large truck; people in a hurry don't like trailing a large truck.
Literally one second there is a clear lane to move over, then from out of nowhere appears a vehicle usually weaving in and out of traffic.
In slow, heavy traffic my preference is behind a large truck; people in a hurry don't like trailing a large truck.
I think that is the only option you have, and it should be fine, quick flash, especially at night will be seen, though when passing, most times the passer will see you when looking to see it's clear to move over.
Some of the Mack R models I have run had a spring loaded toggle switch top left of dash, for high beams, just for that purpose. My 1964 F-600 has a factory switch/option that is a button, spring loaded, turns off the clearance lights, same reason I suppose.
I think it has always been a courteous gesture, I always used to turn em off too, so as not to flash em, but I think if done quickly, works the same.
One time on the return trip from VT, after delivering a trailer load of roof trusses, I lost power in a Mack R model, darned fool that drove the trailer before I did, and it was new, somehow screwed around with the wiring and it all shorted. New trailer and why did he fool with the wiring ??? I'll never know.
Ironically, the only circuit with power was that courtesy switch for high beams I mentioned above. It was dark, so I duct taped that switch open, and high beamed everyone all the way home, nothing else worked. Ain't the first time I limped one home, had to rewire all the way up to the terminal block on the firewall of the tractor, never had any problems after that, was real thankful for that courtesy switch, would have been on the side of the road waiting for help !
Some of the Mack R models I have run had a spring loaded toggle switch top left of dash, for high beams, just for that purpose. My 1964 F-600 has a factory switch/option that is a button, spring loaded, turns off the clearance lights, same reason I suppose.
I think it has always been a courteous gesture, I always used to turn em off too, so as not to flash em, but I think if done quickly, works the same.
One time on the return trip from VT, after delivering a trailer load of roof trusses, I lost power in a Mack R model, darned fool that drove the trailer before I did, and it was new, somehow screwed around with the wiring and it all shorted. New trailer and why did he fool with the wiring ??? I'll never know.
Ironically, the only circuit with power was that courtesy switch for high beams I mentioned above. It was dark, so I duct taped that switch open, and high beamed everyone all the way home, nothing else worked. Ain't the first time I limped one home, had to rewire all the way up to the terminal block on the firewall of the tractor, never had any problems after that, was real thankful for that courtesy switch, would have been on the side of the road waiting for help !
BDT in Minnesota
Member
Sure have that right about most people not wanting to follow a large truck... I guess that when the speed limit is 60mph, their 60mph is faster than my Peterbilt's 60mph... If you stay behind a large truck like you mention; you can think of that large truck as your "40ton bumperguard" !
Seems like to me that a flash quick like that is fine,if he doesnt start to come over flash quick again,might not have seen you.Ive had somebody flash 3 or 4 times quick and thought something was on fire so I pulled over to check before.After that I knew they were just signalling wrong.
If you are riding a motorcycle so slowly on the highway , that semis are passing you you are not riding safe. Anytime you are being overtaken by traffic you are at a much bigger risk. Hard to see what's going on behind you but easy to see what's coming up in front of you. I was taught road riding by a CHP motor officer with 25 years on a bike and no injury.
Good Luck, and wear that helmet.
Gordo
Good Luck, and wear that helmet.
Gordo
BDT in Minnesota
Member
James, slow traffic or faster traffic if the truck is running with the traffic and the traffic is quite heavy,, We have a FAR better view of what lies ahead because we can easily see over the top of most of the vehicles, including vans and pickups. This enables us to choose lanes to avoid allot of stopping and crawling.. To top that off, we have two way radio contact with other truckers that relay the snags up ahead, sometimes SEVERAL miles in advance....We have a schedule to keep, and with me, saftey is always number one...Minneapolis-St.Paul can be as bad as Chicago or Atlanta... Those little buggers that you mentioned that appear out of nowhere; I call them "flies" and the guys on the crotchrockets are "moiskeeters"....It isn't very polite to run over those clowns with a semi, so I try my best not to do that..
Around here, we call it a "good samaritan pass" or a "courtesy flash" simply because NO ONE DOES IT anymore, and those that do obviously are a little old fashioned, like me.
Most of the time in Maryland, BMW's pass the truck on the right and then go back in the fast lane. It's almost DANGEROUS to give the trucker an all clear flash for this very reason - Just too many idiots with potential to flub up!
Most of the time in Maryland, BMW's pass the truck on the right and then go back in the fast lane. It's almost DANGEROUS to give the trucker an all clear flash for this very reason - Just too many idiots with potential to flub up!
john in la
Well-known Member
With over 30 years looking threw a windshield for a living I can tell you it means the same thing BUT I would rather you sit there and do nothing if you can not turn your headlights off briefly.
Nothing worse than passing another vehicle glance into the mirror to see if it is clear to pull over and have someone flash his or her bright lights right in your eyes.
This is only my personal opinion and I see others here do not really agree with it.
Nothing worse than passing another vehicle glance into the mirror to see if it is clear to pull over and have someone flash his or her bright lights right in your eyes.
This is only my personal opinion and I see others here do not really agree with it.
ScottyHOMeY
Well-known Member
I'm in between on the idea.
#1 rule -- don't flash or dip anything unless you are ABSOLUTELY certain that there isn't some nut going to weave through the hole. Courtesy on the road is a wonderful thing -- signaling another driver that a move is safe when it is not is a discourtesy. If there's more than two lanes on your side of the road, you're taking on an even greater moral responsibility to check before signaling.
As far as high-beams, if it's light out and I can see a non-signaling driver check his mirror, or at night and he is signaling, I might give him one flash. As others have stated, multiple rapid flashes are interpreted by some as indicating a hazard or trouble but could be mistaken for an-all-clear. (I happen to run a CB, and will use that or the horn instead of lights to signal a hazard to another driver traveling the same direction -- flashing high-beams for a hazard I reserve for traffic coming in the other direction.)
Still, dipping lights is to be preferred to high beams, but only if the other drivers path is truly clear.
On a side note, there's all sorts of acknowledgments from the other driver. The old traditional way was to flash the clearance and ID lights. A lot of drivers now will give a couple of flashes of either their four-ways or the opposite turn signal.
#1 rule -- don't flash or dip anything unless you are ABSOLUTELY certain that there isn't some nut going to weave through the hole. Courtesy on the road is a wonderful thing -- signaling another driver that a move is safe when it is not is a discourtesy. If there's more than two lanes on your side of the road, you're taking on an even greater moral responsibility to check before signaling.
As far as high-beams, if it's light out and I can see a non-signaling driver check his mirror, or at night and he is signaling, I might give him one flash. As others have stated, multiple rapid flashes are interpreted by some as indicating a hazard or trouble but could be mistaken for an-all-clear. (I happen to run a CB, and will use that or the horn instead of lights to signal a hazard to another driver traveling the same direction -- flashing high-beams for a hazard I reserve for traffic coming in the other direction.)
Still, dipping lights is to be preferred to high beams, but only if the other drivers path is truly clear.
On a side note, there's all sorts of acknowledgments from the other driver. The old traditional way was to flash the clearance and ID lights. A lot of drivers now will give a couple of flashes of either their four-ways or the opposite turn signal.
ScottyHOMeY
Well-known Member
Bikes are like red Corvettes -- bear bait. It's just easier to behave.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I was coming back from the elevator at night in the old Mack ('85 Econodyne) with the hi-beams on going down a country road. A car was coming so I hit the floor dimmer switch and the headlights when out. Luckily both drivers (me and the other guy) were courteous. I was very courteous, I pulled over and stopped. I still had clearance lights so he could see where I was. I fooled with the dimmer switch and got the low beams back on, and did not touch it till I got back at the farm (about 4 mi). Old Mack got a new switch the very next day. The sad thing is I had the very same thing happen to me in the old '78 Chevy straight truck about 3 years previous - just different road from different elevator. I told my cousin (these are his trucks) his driver was going to start charging more!:^)
Cisco Pike
New User
Walt, know why that is? Years ago in Iowa it meant you'd just passed a hwy. patrol or local yokel--speed trap. California deemed it illegal to warn other drivers what they were driving into.
Daytime- I watch for when the truck driver glances at the RH mirror, and turn the headlights on for a second or two. If I"m running the lights, I flash hi beam for a second or two. That will not bother them in daytime, but does signal them. At night, I flash a quick hi beam. Most truckers blink me after they pass- they are, by far, the most courteous people on the road.
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