Friday, January 03, 2014

You're Not Alone

Flashing truckers.

Not that kind.


I'm talking about headlights.

No, not that kind.

A few weeks ago, on one of the trucker social media sites, I was reading about the practice of flashing your headlights at a trucker after they pass you, to let them know the lane is clear for them to move back over.


Comments varied:

"I don't need anyone flashing me.  I know where the goddamned back of my truck is."

"I never use my brights.  Some drivers use their brights.  They should know better."

"These newbies don't know the meaning of courtesy.  Why should I help them drive??"

"I like when someone flashes me over.  I think it's nice."

It went on and on.

I remember when I was younger growing up in New York.  The only time we flashed headlights at other people was to let them know the cops were hiding in the dip over the hill on Route 17.  They always hid there, everyone knew it, but as a courtesy we flashed our lights, to let them know that today, they were definitely there.  When I moved out West, no one did it.  It was weird.

Then I started trucking.

Everyone's seen it, the trucker who flashes his lights to let the other trucker know he's clear and can move over into the slow lane.  Or whatever lane.  Or that he can merge into traffic from an entrance ramp, and the trucker doing the flashing will hang back until they come on over.


We flash the trailer lights, too.  As a thank you.  Once you've passed another driver, after they've given the signal, you give 'em a little flash of your trailer lights - some people use their 4-way flashers - to thank them.

To me, the flash of lights means more than just thanking another driver, or telling them they're clear.


For me, it's about acknowledging our sameness.  That we share the same lifestyle.  To let them know that someone else knows what their experience is and I'm nodding to it.

To say, I see you.

I am you.  


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: More Bling Than One Person Can Handle

2012: Instantly Tucson
2011: Start With An Ollie, Finish With A Shred And Grind
2010: Fire In The Sky
2009: Free Advertising For Erectile Dysfunction
2008: High Flame Toni
2007: Ripped From The Headlines
2006: Our Truck Looked Reallllly Good…
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

9 comments:

Marlaina said...

The flashing lights thing is different by country. In Canada it means two things move the hell over you moron, you're in my way and speed trap in the bushes. In Europe and Asia it means that I am passing you.

I like it when cars do it because
to me it means THEY are aware that I am big and I am signaling to move over. I still make my own decision.

Dave Sanderson said...

FLASH...a simple thing but do you mean to go from low beam to high beam or on to off to on or off to on then back to off? There is a difference. At night I consider it rude to FLASH your headlights from low beam to high, it tends to dilate to pupils a bit. Instead go from low beam to off then back to low is how I was taught. In the daytime off to low beam. When it is cloudy-dusk-dawn-etc. (whenever you would not blind someone) and you have your low beams on then use high beams to signal someone to come back over. If you are the passer than even if nobody flashes you when you come back over either turn your trailer lights from off to on then back to off or flash off then on. It leaves them thinking you are considerate or I did not do nothing why are you thanking me (sort of like smiling it keeps people guessing). There is my two cents.(i have change if you need it)

Dave Sanderson said...

FLASH...a simple thing but do you mean to go from low beam to high beam or on to off to on or off to on then back to off? There is a difference. At night I consider it rude to FLASH your headlights from low beam to high, it tends to dilate to pupils a bit. Instead go from low beam to off then back to low is how I was taught. In the daytime off to low beam. When it is cloudy-dusk-dawn-etc. (whenever you would not blind someone) and you have your low beams on then use high beams to signal someone to come back over. If you are the passer than even if nobody flashes you when you come back over either turn your trailer lights from off to on then back to off or flash off then on. It leaves them thinking you are considerate or I did not do nothing why are you thanking me (sort of like smiling it keeps people guessing). There is my two cents.(i have change if you need it)

The Daily Rant said...

DAVE: I never flash high beams - and hate when people do - I usually go from low beam to off, then back to low. And in the daytime, I usually don't flash unless there's traffic and they have to get over quick - then I let someone know as soon as they've cleared me.

Gil said...

flash

Gil said...

Messed up!

I usually turn my lights on and off to let a truck (with her signal on)let her know that it clear to pull in front of me. Learned this from an old hillbilly friend that hauled Schaefer Beer out of Brooklyn. As far as the idiots in front of me going way under the speed limit I use the headlight flashers. Learned that from a Volvo mechanic.

ADK Massage Girl said...

I grew up in upstate NY (north of I-90) and flashing to me has always been either "there's a cop ahead" or "get out of my way". Occasionally I've seen it used to indicate one driver wants the other to proceed at an intersection or similar situation (which would be illegal as the flasher usually has right of way).

Once, I was passing a truck on the highway (in my car) and the driver flashed his lights to let me know I could move in back into the lane; I was so flattered!

tokyo working girl said...

I remember being small and my mom telling us flashing our lights to a truck was polite and away to let them know they can move back into the lane after passing. Unfortunately, I never knew it was rude to flash the high beams - and I wouldn't want to turn off my lights entirely at night for even a moment. Otherwise, I grew up also know that flashing headlights at an oncoming vehicle was meant as a warning there was danger down the road the way you just came, such as an accident, large animal, or cop hiding. :)

The Daily Rant said...

ADK Massage Girl: Same with us where I lived in NY (Catskill Mountain Region, not as far upstate as you) - our flashing of lights also meant "cop ahead" or "get the hell out of my way" - from people barreling down the highway in the fast lane. LOL I sometimes flash non-truckers to let them know it's okay to move back over, that they've cleared me, but usually it's with people in U-Hauls (it's evident they're not used to driving larger vehicles), or someone pulling a small utility trailer, or towing a car. Or old people in RVs. :)

TOKYO WORKING GIRL: Yes, flashing is okay to let us know to move over - the thing with the high beams is, for me anyway, is that I'm watching my side mirror steadily, waiting to see that the rear of my vehicle has cleared the other vehicle and I can move over, and if you just stayed there and did nothing, I'd be fine and would be able to determine I've passed you, but when I'm looking right in my mirror and someone puts their high beams on, it's blinding. We're always watching our side mirrors to know where we're at when changing lanes, but I tend to focus on that one mirror when I'm moving over and the bright light gets me every time! And I don't think cars are used to turning off their lights completely and then back on - feels a bit unnatural and probably scary. LOL And your mom was right - it is generally polite to let us know we've passed you. Thanks!