Community Forums

MRJEB · 05-20-2025, 09:39 AM

In full disclosure - I'm only ~18 months and 20k miles into my RV life so some things are still new to me. When I got my Dutch Star I tried to use the courtesy flash button to communicate with truckers when clear to get over. Realizing that only 1 in a 100 respond to me, I've quit being so diligent. I've even tried to watch, and I don't see truckers doing this for each other any more.

Just throwing this out to the group for conversation - especially interested in those who drove big rigs as a career.

littlebob · 05-20-2025, 09:41 AM

Some do and some don't, I do all the time

ChrisDParise · 05-20-2025, 09:45 AM

Any vehicle, sedan, suv, rv.etc, can follow the courtesy flash protocol. Sometimes it's returned by the truck driver. They have alot on their minds especially in heavy traffic so if not returned doesnt bother me. I'll keep doing it when I can

Domo · 05-20-2025, 10:00 AM

We do the flash 90% of the time.

Why would anyone consider abandoning what is an alert to ease traffic flow, communicate safety and possibly prevent accident?

Granted, some folks never learned this courtesy. To us, a courteous; "hey you can move over," when followed by an answering; "Thank you" make driving more personal as you watch out for troubles around you and others on the road.

Skip426 · 05-20-2025, 10:01 AM

When truckers at overtaking me I use a flash of high beams to communicate with them ( I don't think they would be able to notice an ICC flash of the marker lights ).

The odd time I'm doing the overtaking , the majority of truckers will flash headlights to say I'm clear and then I use the ICC to say "thanks " .

twinboat · 05-20-2025, 10:29 AM

The flash is disappearing just like good truck drivers. They are in a hurr and don't care about you or your flasing lights, if they even understand what they mean.

Many can't even read the road signs.

bigb56 · 05-20-2025, 10:48 AM

If traffic is so light that there is nobody behind the truck that is passing I won't bother, they usually stay left quite a ways before moving back over under those conditions. But if there is anyone behind the big truck I'll watch for the driver to look in his mirror and when he does I'll give him the flash if clear. I always get a thanks.

I've had them do the same for me although I seldom pass anyone.

Dutch Star Don · 05-20-2025, 10:54 AM

I no longer flash the truck drivers as they're often blowing by at 70+ mph. On occasion, when traffic is heavy and I can see the truck needs to get over right away, I will give them a flash.

SandiaMan · 05-20-2025, 11:48 AM

On the rare occasion that we are passed by a semi-truck driver we will flash our headlights once they have fully passed us. We use I-40, I-10, and sometimes I-25 to get most anywhere in our neck of the woods and we tend to drive our 40' motorcoach posted speed limit +/- a couple of MPH.

As we are doing most of the passing I find that less than half of the truck drivers will not give any indication of when we are clear to move back into the right lane. We really don't give it much thought as all our cameras are live and just use rear camera view to determine when we are clear.

Unplanned Tourist · 05-20-2025, 12:11 PM

I spend very little time on 4 lane highways. Mainly because there aren't that many around us, and we also like to use secondary 2 lane roads. Much more relaxing, but if I get a truck behind me, I let it by ASAP. Usually on a passing lane going up a hill. Almost every time I get a couple taps of brake lights for a thanks.

I spent 40 years around truckers, so I know they appreciate someone letting them by. Time and distance is money to them.

BillJinOR · 05-20-2025, 12:19 PM

Worked for a big trucking / deliver company and it was policy to not flash people over. “Thank you flash were ok” . The legal department said it would be a liability if someone came over and a car tried to fly through and pass them. You gave the ok so you’re responsible then for the results!
I didn’t always follow the rule as it was an old time trucker habit but , one old guy told me if you didn’t know where the back of your rig was by looking in the mirror to know was ok to pull over , you shouldn’t be driving a big rig.

hastemaker · 05-20-2025, 03:53 PM

I understand what you have posted...but I have been trucking for over 52 years as a owner-driver & todays drivers are 99% wheel holders, the real truck drivers are like me & to old to do it anymore...when I started driving you couldn't pull over to take a leak without a truck stopping to see if you were OK...in todays world a truck could be on fire & they would just look and keep going.

Run_GMC · 05-22-2025, 05:07 PM

I've always followed the "old" courtesy flashes... last trip, discovered that using the ICC switch blows the fuse. No marker lights. Obviously, pulled over and replaced the fuse.
After 3 or 4 hours and in pitch black highway conditions, ALL lights, headlights, tail lights, exterior and dash lights blinked off and back on... continued to do that for a couple of miles... Trucker went around me, flashed all of his lights and pointed at my rig like I hadn't noticed. Luckily, there was a truck stop at the next exit (about 6 miles ahead). I still can't find the short. I suspect a relay or something loose. Ideas?? Thx!

UTTransplant · 05-23-2025, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigb56

If traffic is so light that there is nobody behind the truck that is passing I won't bother, they usually stay left quite a ways before moving back over under those conditions. But if there is anyone behind the big truck I'll watch for the driver to look in his mirror and when he does I'll give him the flash if clear. I always get a thanks.

I've had them do the same for me although I seldom pass anyone.

This is what I do too. But note that I don’t flash my high beams. I have heard way too many truckers say that is very distracting, and I must say I agree when it happens to me. I use the ICC courtesy lights in my motorhome.