Tailgating & other questions

[tinytim]

Ok, I'm a new driver. I have all of 6 weeks solo under my belt. So far I'm loving it but have a couple of questions.

What's with big trucks travelling almost bumper to bumper at interstate speeds? If you can't see my mirror...you're putting your faith in the wrong place.

Why do professional drivers turn into teenagers when they sit at a truck stop with a mic in their hand?

Why do four wheelers not understand they shouldn't hold us up by driving in the middle lane and why do some big trucks think if they get close enough the four wheeler will go faster or just vanish?

Why doesn't JB Hunt change that logo?

Why does everything - roads, exit signs, distance between exit and sign - seem smaller in NJ?

Seriously though I'm pleasantly surprised with the way the majority of both four wheelers and big trucks drive. Most are courteous when you're entering the interstate. Most give you enough room, well almost enough but I like more space cushion than most. The large majority of truck drivers are very professional and courteous if not overly friendly.

I do have a real question though. Why is that some drivers toggle their lights after passing me? When we get into a turtle race I'll back it off so they can get by quickly but when that's not the case I just wonder why they toggle 'em.

[repete]

why ask why??
the drivers are "flashing you" and telling you that your past them and ok to pull back in the left lane, I have noticed that some will flash me and it looks awful close. When that happens flash your markers or blink your 4-ways to say thanks and move over when YOU think your clear. BOL

[Drew10]

Why is that some drivers toggle their lights after passing me?

They are "flashing" you because they think you "flashed" them, giving them the all clear to come back. Im sure they are only doing it because they think that you had flashed them (when you really didnt) and they may have missed it.
Just to state my opinion, rarely do I flash a big truck giving them the "all clear" to come back over after passing me. Usually by the time Im ready to flash them they are already on there way back over anyway. Also I believe its a misinterpreted act to flash the driver who passed. Some drivers believe the flash means you have cleared me and have established a reasonable following distance, others believe you have just cleared me and to come back. I wont flash another driver back until there is at least a truck length between me and the truck that just passed me.

[tinytim]

Im sure they are only doing it because they think that you had flashed them (when you really didnt) and they may have missed it.

That's probably it. I don't usually flash them to come back because they have already come back sooner than I would. Unless there's an anxious four wheeler who looks like they're going to try and sneak through on the right.

[BanditsCousin]

I flash the top marker lights as a thank you for flashing me in.I also do it to remind a driver he should have flashed me in

[Fredog]

I flash the top marker lights as a thank you for flashing me in.I also do it to remind a driver he should have flashed me in

it's a courtesy between truck drivers, something that sadly is vanishing rapidly

[got mud?]

I flash the top marker lights as a thank you for flashing me in.I also do it to remind a driver he should have flashed me in

ah the old "thanks for nothing flash!"

[BanditsCousin]

That would be the one!

[wimpy]

I always flash truckers to come back in after they pass me, if anything it gives you something to look forward to doing besides just driving.

[choperbob]

at nite distances are deceptive, it is a courtesy to flash and say you are clear com'on over bud. some older trucks have a courtesy switch. :sad: sadly, courtesy is not being trained to our newer drivers. it is just another for of communication between 2 drivers that is probably gonna go out of fashion as we become just a bunch of freakin' 4 wheeler drivers with 18 wheels instead of 4 :twisted:

[Windwalker]

Unfortunately, it seems like more and more drivers are using their HIGH-BEAMS :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: to signal you to come back over. Just about the time I'm checking my right mirror, here come the $#@&%@, %&&#@$&* HIGH-BEAM :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

One of these days, I'm going to find a 1 BILLION CANDLEPOWER light and mount it on the right side cab extender so that when someone uses his HIGH-BEAMS, I can return the :twisted: favor :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: IN KIND :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: Either that, or when I come back over, I'll try DESPERATELY to lock up the ABS. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

When you signal someone that he clears you, you MOVE YOUR LAZY ARM up to the dash and switch your lights OFF for a second, and back on. That way, you don't BLIND ANOTHER DRIVER, or someone coming in the other direction and have anyone run off the road because of momentary blindness.

[BanditsCousin]

I have a smartwheel and I dim my headlights to flash someone in. Much easier and safer than the high beams.

Now if Swift would quit running their foglights all the time, I'd be happy.

[tinytim]

I hope it's not the 'thanks for nothin' flash but I did wonder about that.

What is considered a safe distance before moving back to the right by most drivers anyway?

[Jumbo]

Why would J.B. Hunt change their logo?

[Drew10]

What is considered a safe distance before moving back to the right by most drivers anyway?

If I flash another driver the OK, it wont be before at least 1 truck length is between him and me, even if he is being tailgated by 4wheeler or even other 18wheelers. If the 4wheelers start passing the truck on the right (which they inevitably will do and is very common these days), then thats just part of truckin'. But...Like I said earlier, alot of the times the passing truck is already starting back before I even have the chance to flash. Thats were the inconsideration is, not in the lack of a flash.

Here is one you really got to watch out for: You are doing the passing and you can see other big trucks in your mirror in the left lane also. Many times one of these drivers will use the CB and give you the OK to move back to the right decieving you into thinking it came from the truck you just passed. This has happened to me a couple times because of impatient drivers. Last time it happened, I had figured out it didnt come from the driver I just passed, and I chewed his butt up and down for doing that. (Apparently he didnt care, he didnt come back to me)

[lurchgs]

I flashed a driver over the other day, and the cops arrested me for indecent exposure.

Lo, these many years ago, my father taught me to flash my lights when being passed. And he's not - and never has been - a trucker. I still do it - though only if I'm being passed by a truck :/ most 4-wheelers seem to think it's a rude gesture and respond in kind.