The [zb] that doesnt flash you in is the same one who holds you out in lane two when your trying to get passed
No it isn’t. As I previously stated, I never flash anybody in, ever. Out, yes, but never in. I always, without exception, slow for a lorry in lane two if it looks as if he is coming past at a slow rate.
I pose an example.
You’re driving. A truck decides to overtake you. It pulls out and within ten or twenty seconds it is obvious it is going to take him miles to get past.
You A) Ease off the accelerator, or cancel the cruise control, knock your speed down to 50mph, let him pass, but do not flash him in.
Or B) You carry on for miles without knocking your speed down and then flash him in.
Who has shown true courtesy out of those two scenarios?
Forget the argument of slowing down and flashing him in, but choose from the two. Who has shown true courtesy? Who has shown true professionalism in accordance to the highway code? The highway code says nothing about giving a specific signal to other drivers about there being a safe enough distance to move in but it does state that if an overtaking vehicle is struggling to pass, then slow to facilitate it.
Also, if A, does the driver recognise you slowed for him by giving an appreciative flick of the indicators to say thank you? No. Not that it should be expected anyway.
I’m not claiming to be self righteous. I’m just irritated by the number of people who throw around this ridiculous phrase of “real driver”.
One could be superb at his job, always sticking to road laws such as speed limits, weight limits and such. One could have experience with every type of load and configuration. One could be diplomatic with customers and never have to take shunts reversing. One could navigate well and keeep their stress levels down. One could leave sufficient gaps to allow for the vehicle in front making an emergancy stop, not driving two millimetres from the Micra’s bumper through roadworks. One may know the length of his trailer too. However, this same person may not particularly agree with the unofficial protocol of flashing. Does that make him an unreal driver? Hardly.
Additionaly, you have no idea of the state of mind of the driver who has failed to flash you. He may have only half hour previously received a phonecall from his wife and been told she is divorcing him. He may have found out two days ago that his child has leukemia. He may be suffering from depression which is a serious and deep complaint where things that seem insignificant are not top of his agenda. He may be in the middle of a hands free phonecall with his boss who is giving him some instructions. Who knows? He is not necessarily to be judged for it.
