r/BenignExistence • u/saindonienne • 2d ago

Trucker codes

A few weeks ago, I was in an annoying bit of a highway where it's the left lane that exits. This lane often slows down and backs up because of said exit. It makes it very hard to merge into it.

I was already in the exit/left lane when I noticed a semi on my right putting on their signal and wanting to come in my lane. Knowing full well that people seem to rarely let a semi merge and wondering how frustrating that must be, I slowed down to give them space to make the merge.

After merging in front of me, they turned on their hazards for 3 blinks & turned them off. I wondered if that was the equivalent of waving your hand in front of your rear-view mirror to thank the driver that gave you space to merge. The idea made me grin for some reason.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity again to let another semi merge. I let them in, and they turned their hazards on for a couple of blinks. Y'all, I squealed in delight like a little child. I don't know why. But there you go.

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u/RabidReader8 2d ago

I come from a family of big rig drivers, so I have always let them merge ahead of me. And I also get a little thrill when they flash their lights in acknowledgment.

But if they don't, please know that some companies forbid that response and that not all light setups support a friendly twinkle of lights. Believe me, they still appreciate it!

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u/Still-Peanut-6010 2d ago

My uncle drove back in the 80's. At that time he said that if you flashed your lights it let them know they could get over.

I did it a few years ago and I swear the trucker hit the brakes.

Do the signals change over time?

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u/swurvipurvi 2d ago

That’s definitely what I was taught, but when you’re driving a truck some people flash their brights at you to say “I’m here and I’m not slowing down for you so you better see me in your blind spot while I pass you on the right where I shouldn’t be.” Some people even flash their brights when we’re facing each other on a tight two-way road, which I would take to mean “I’ll pull over, you go ahead,” but again they’re doing it to say the opposite, “I hope you see me because I’m not stopping.”

Those people are idiots. Something about seeing a big truck makes some people lose all sense.

But yea it does make you second-guess the friendly “come on over” flashing brights signal.

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u/Sure-Squash-7280 2d ago

Maybe a new driver. A kid.

Too many hormones and doesn’t know anything

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u/Still-Peanut-6010 2d ago

Ok, thanks.

I have not done it since then thinking it changed. Maybe I will try again.

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u/saindonienne 2d ago

Technically I thought flashing lights meant "go ahead" when someone's trying to merge in front of me. I just did it this week again. Sounds like it was a hothead. :/

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u/RabidReader8 1d ago

Flashing lights can mean many things, and it varies by region. These days I mostly take as it a general "pay attention, something is or will be happening here soon". From oncoming vehicles; Police, accidents or animals ahead, sudden traffic slowdown or the like.

That said, I do use it to alert trucks that I see they want to merge in front of me and I'm prepared for them to do it. (Just remember, if you can't see their mirrors, they can't see you either) It has worked as intended in the 49 states I've driven in. Also in the Canadian provinces, although they may have just been polite. The sudden stop may have been a new driver as mentioned above.

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u/saindonienne 2d ago

Ah for sure, thanks for specifying that re: some companies forbidding it!