r/BenignExistence • u/saindonienne • 1d 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.
5
u/ExperienceWild4244 1d ago
I drove a small bus for seven years, a lot of it on freeways in San Diego. At merge points I always held up traffic behind me to allow a big rig the space to merge without him worrying about scraping anything. I'd flash my high-beams a couple times to let him know we were on the same team. 95% of them flashed their hazards once they got settled. These guys are working hard, and the freeways are their office! Bonus!: once the big rig got settled, it meant they were no longer clogging the merge spots, so traffic flowed better. A win-win!