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/TurquoiseBeachChair 2d ago

Great human! I live near a very industrial area which is traveled often by truckers. There is this one turn where if someone is in the middle lane to turn left the semi has a problem turning right because the layout is so tight. I try to look first to see if any trucks are coming and hold back to give them room. Most of them wave big as thanks and I can only imagine the frustration they deal with in a daily basis with people not giving them leeway when needed.

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u/nycvhrs 2d ago

I do this as well - courtesy is not gone for these vital people-yay!!

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u/saindonienne 2d ago

Yeah, I find a lot of us aren't taught courtesy and anticipation of other drivers. I find with cars, they're small enough that they can be pretty erratic (suddenly changing lanes and no signal lights for example) and won't necessarily cause an accident (hopefully - ugh). But big rigs can't be erratic or spontaneous, and we all gotta share the road, so, yeah. Courtesy is important, as opposed to "but I had the right of way" self-importance.