Why is it that when you flash in an overtaking truck, half the time you never get an acknowledgment?
Is it that the driver just can’t be bothered, doesn’t know what he/she is doing, or just plain and simply ignorant drivers?
Really annoys me!
Rant over…have a nice day
Oh dear, put your tin hat… ‘good drivers know the length of a trailer and don’t need flashing in so thank you for what?’
Be prepared pal. I personally agree with you. Can’t stand drivers who don’t acknowledge any sort of aid, needed or not.
sheded:
Why is it that when you flash in an overtaking truck, half the time you never get an acknowledgment?
Is it that the driver just can’t be bothered, doesn’t know what he/she is doing, or just plain and simply ignorant drivers?
Really annoys me!
Rant over…have a nice day
Have a read of the Highway Code, with regard to stopping distances. Then, bear in mind the old saying “only a fool breaks the two second rule”. Next time a lorry overtakes you, ponder all this before you flash him in.
To save you working it out, 55 mph is roughly 80 feet a second. Thus, a safe gap in optimum conditions between your front grille and his arse end is about 160 feet, or two and a half-ish artic lengths.
I get flashed in regularly when I know for a fact that I’m far too close to the flasher-in. ( it’s not rocket science, trust me 
). Would you rather I pull in and hope I don’t have to hit the brakes for whatever reason with you less than 1 second behind me, or shall I wait until I feel it’s safe to pull back in??
The day I get flashed in with a safe gap between me and the flasher-in will be a first for me! And that’s the sole reason why I personally ignore flashing-in. Call me odd but I’ll be damned if I’m saying thank you to someone who wants me to do something dangerous 
so with safety in mind you wait until your 2.5 truck lengths past every vehicle you overtake before pulling in?
Sometimes I just don’t see the flash, or not sure, so I won’t acknowledge.
I like to look ahead rather than stare in the mirror just to see if someone flashes or not.
Although I do flash others in to those whom are struggling to pass me. I don’t want an acknowledge for it.
Often once I have been pulled in front of and the guy in front gives me a left right or right left on his indicators.
The car in lane 2 sees the right indicator come on again thinking that the truck is going to suddenly come back out and momentarily gives a sharp break.
This in turn affects the next driver. A cause for concern for my mind when you consider the art of flashing is to warn drivers not a gesture of friendliness.
the one’s that ■■■■ me off are the one’s that pull in before you have a chance to flash causing you to brake and if you can judge the trailer length at 60 feet with mirrors good luck I wait till I can see ime clear and count slowly to 10 that should give enough clearance unless the ■■■■■■ puts his foot down the old fashioned flash is courtesy and should be respected
109LWB:
Sometimes I just don’t see the flash, or not sure, so I won’t acknowledge.
I like to look ahead rather than stare in the mirror just to see if someone flashes or not.
Same here, if I’m not sure I’ll say ‘thanks’ anyway though.
It would make more sense to flash someone as a thanks for pulling back in at a safe distance in front surely. Its not like the old days of useless, tiny vibrating mirrors now is it?
I have to admit I flash all the time (lights that is) yes it is courtesy nice to have a fellow trucker help you out rare these days I always make sure they are well in front before doing so most miseries wont thank you for it they are obviously better than me and yes I do remember those little old mirrors worst thing lately is those that are not even past and they are indicating to come in. Why when your on the motorway what is the panic to return to lane 1 are they out of there comfort zone all that road in front of you and you want my bit. Bring back the old mirrors that should get half of them of the road, in fact bring back the old trucks the roads would be empty cant see half the drivers on the road driving what we used to. They would get there hands dirty and break their nails and that would never do.
Does anyone get the “sarcastic” flash of a left and right indicator when you do not flash them in.
Surely it blows the headlight bulbs flashing a hundred trucks a day or night.
Why do some muppets flash in cars that have overtaken their lorry ?
109LWB:
Sometimes I just don’t see the flash, or not sure, so I won’t acknowledge.
I like to look ahead rather than stare in the mirror just to see if someone flashes or not.
^ This is spot on, getting harder with more and more running lights on all day. Oh and there is a flash and there is a FLASH!
Point though is you do it to be nice the thank you is just a bonus.
if you double flash, the overtaker might not see it. I’ve tried holding the flash on, then giving the second flash when he indicates to pull in. I try to thank all kindness. I need all the help I can get!
I always acknowledge if I’m flashed in its just courtesy , same when I’m out and about if some body needs my help either at a job or in the yard I’ll stop and help , it costs nothing to be nice and manners are free as well, a lot of you old timers would rather watch people struggle the majority of the time , English drivers couldn’t stand together for a photograph where in Europe if a fellow driver is mistreated they would stand together even if that meant striking , bit sad really when you think about it 
even if someone flashes you in and its a bit early as you have only just cleared him
IT DOES NOT HURT AND IT DOES NOT COST ANYTHING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS WITH ONE OR 2 INDICATOR FLICKS
EVEN IF YOU DONT PULL BACK IN FRONT OF HIM STRAIGHT AWAY
war1974:
so with safety in mind you wait until your 2.5 truck lengths past every vehicle you overtake before pulling in?
I respectfully refer you to the first paragraph of my previous post.
Point: a couple of years back, I was tootling my merry way to Edinburgh in my old wagon and drag, freighted to 44 ton and over-width to boot. Twice along the way, first time on the A66 heading up the bank near the quarry at Boldron, second starting to climb up Beatock, an air pipe burst. Looking back, the wagon came to a rapid stop within a few seconds, the same as if the red air line broke on an artic. Imagine that happening if I’d just pulled back in after being flashed too soon?
So the answer is yes, I leave what I consider to be a safe gap before moving back to the left lane. I’d rather the traffic behind me is delayed by a few more seconds than delayed by a few hours because I’ve caused a pile-up.
villa:
IT DOES NOT HURT AND IT DOES NOT COST ANYTHING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS WITH ONE OR 2 INDICATOR FLICKS
If you’re happy to thank complete strangers for giving you the chance to put you, and him/her in potentially dangerous situations, be my guest.
sheded:
Why is it that when you flash in an overtaking truck, half the time you never get an acknowledgment?
Is it that the driver just can’t be bothered, doesn’t know what he/she is doing, or just plain and simply ignorant drivers?
Really annoys me!
Simple solution: if it annoys you so much, stop flashing people in. That way you can’t be annoyed when they don’t thank you.
You’re welcome.
I wish that was all I had to worry about! 
Gembo:
I wish that was all I had to worry about!
I agree im not bothered if they say thanks or not,its same in everyday life nowadays ,gone are the days of please and thank you,holding doors open for peolple etc,its everyman for himself today,sad and horrible but true,i break my neck to thank people …many people look shocked 