Radar19:
One thing I have noticed is that Martime drivers are less and less likely to flash you in. If its a tramper though in a big cab, they flash more than the shift drivers. It must be because they go so slow and feel that you’ll be so far past them its not worth flashing.
I have driven 52mph vehicles for years and I stopped flashing in all but those that are struggling ages ago, it gets tiresome. Personally I don’t see why people get so worked up about it, if you have a 4mph advantage why do you need flashing in? It’s a custom from the days of crap rattling mirrors, these days it’s pointless.
It’s part of the truckers friendly code of courtesy. I don’t need a door held open for me but most do for the reason of being polite
Radar19:
One thing I have noticed is that Martime drivers are less and less likely to flash you in. If its a tramper though in a big cab, they flash more than the shift drivers. It must be because they go so slow and feel that you’ll be so far past them its not worth flashing.
I have driven 52mph vehicles for years and I stopped flashing in all but those that are struggling ages ago, it gets tiresome. Personally I don’t see why people get so worked up about it, if you have a 4mph advantage why do you need flashing in? It’s a custom from the days of crap rattling mirrors, these days it’s pointless.
It’s part of the truckers friendly code of courtesy. I don’t need a door held open for me but most do for the reason of being polite
Difference being, it’s helpful having a door held open for you. Having someone flash you after easily passing them in good visibility isn’t helpful, it just gives you something to have to thank them for.
I’m all for helping other drivers out where it’s useful, I just think the obsession with getting flashed in all the time is often daft.
slowlane:
I was chronically over 15hrs by the time I got to park up, it was dark and ■■■■■■■ with rain. It was tight, and I just didn’t have the skills to back into the one space available and when I asked the driver behind for help watching me in, he said “No chance mate, if you can’t get it in, I’m having it.” I just couldn’t make it work and had to drive on and do a dodgy parking job in half a layby.
That would have annoyed me, and determined to the point where I would have made bloody sure I did get in that space, no matter how long it took just to ■■■■ that bloke off…just keep getting out to check mate as many times as it takes, also he would soon get sick of waiting anyway.
You were as you said already ‘‘chronically over a 15’’ so what would another 5 to 10 mins make, (with an explanation printout) anyway ?
+1. And waved at the other knob with a big grin on my face as he [zb] off into the distance.
1 And limped very slowly as I walked all around the truck checking distance etc
TBH (and as a new class 1 driver as well) this is pretty rare as most drivers have been wonderful. I sympathise though as it’s horrible to have that bad a time when you’re knackered
Radar19:
One thing I have noticed is that Martime drivers are less and less likely to flash you in. If its a tramper though in a big cab, they flash more than the shift drivers. It must be because they go so slow and feel that you’ll be so far past them its not worth flashing.
I have driven 52mph vehicles for years and I stopped flashing in all but those that are struggling ages ago, it gets tiresome. Personally I don’t see why people get so worked up about it, if you have a 4mph advantage why do you need flashing in? It’s a custom from the days of crap rattling mirrors, these days it’s pointless.
It’s part of the truckers friendly code of courtesy. I don’t need a door held open for me but most do for the reason of being polite
Difference being, it’s helpful having a door held open for you. Having someone flash you after easily passing them in good visibility isn’t helpful, it just gives you something to have to thank them for.
I’m all for helping other drivers out where it’s useful, I just think the obsession with getting flashed in all the time is often daft.
It’s more to do with the Pro driver v Paid steerer thing mate.
I don’t really care a ■■■■ tbh if I get a flash in or not.
However, considering how much I get ■■■■■■ about pricks cutting in too soon, I would hate to think I did the same to another like minded driver, so I tend to stay out a bit longer than needed,.and if I do get a flash it assures me he is comfortable with me pulling back in, …if I do not, who cares.
My theory is (for what it’s worth) is that the reason for the increase in numbers of ‘Pricks who cut in’ is down to the flashing in thing decreasing over the years.
Once over you were 99% certain of the flash so drivers waited for it, and moved back in safely.
Where as nowadays you aint so certain, so the less experienced are not sure about space awareness, so cut in too soon.
So as for being ‘obsessive’ mate, I think my theory is more accurate.
Don’t reckon i’d flash if I was limited to 52.the amount of trucks on the road nowadays…would make it a bit tedious…as virtually everyone of them would be passing you.
Same on the bike.
It’s a bit of a biker thing to raise a finger/nod or whatever to a passing bike.
All well and good,most of the time…but tedious on a Sunday morning en route to matlock,when the roads are full of them.
There is nothing here that is relevant to the highway code, and flashing your headlights is a contravention of the code.
Interesting to read how people interpret other drivers reactions to them passing or trying to pass. My take is that the majority of you cut in, leaving me no stopping distance if you decide to brake heavily. That is why you don’t get flashed in. If you drove properly and considerately you would be treated accordingly. Doh.
My current truck is restricted to 55mph, and I like others have to put up with the half-wits inching past in heavy traffic, with a 2 mile queue behind them. Why not wait for the traffic to thin a little? What is it with this sense of entitlement that expects the other truck to slow down for you? What if they are in a hurry too? If I catch up with a slower truck, I am happy to wait until it turns off or it is quiet enough to pass. I work for myself too, so have every incentive to floor it. Do not see that many drivers with the patience or ability to keep things in perspective. Try it…you may live a bit longer. There are some right tools driving trucks at the moment.
Some people flash me in, others don’t. Some people acknowledge me flashing them in, others don’t. In the great scheme of things it doesn’t really matter. It’s all about courtesy really. However, if you don’t extend courtesy to me I can guarantee that if the chance arises for me to do you a bad turn I will grab that chance with both hands!
He’ll, I’m that petty that I’ll hang about outside a door that I held open for someone just for the chance to slam it in their face if they didn’t thank me the first time.
If you do me the courtesy of waiting until I’m comfortable with the gap, I’ll flash you in. Most don’t wait for that though Most annoying when they almost take your step off on an empty road.
I have found that a lot of Scots truckers will give a single flash on their indicators if you’re wanting to get past them and the road ahead is clear for you to do so but the further south you go the less times it happens, and that’s in me car, Suppose Scottish truckers are of a more considerate breed of driver …
Hinton:
I try to flash everyone in… BUT 70% of the time drivers will pull in before I feel like they are at an acceptable distance. There should be a sign for “[zb] off you are too close”
I wonder if I am guilty of that mistake occasionally??
I move into middle lane especially in heavy traffic to accommodate guy coming down the slip road.
Then he keeps me hanging out there. If I assess I can take the plonker I will.
As soon as I am an inch or so clear and to allow everyone else go about their business I indicate and return to my original lane as I don’t expect plonker to flash me in.
How wrong was I ■■?
He now flashes me in several, several, several times and gives me a wave as well.
Now I feel really guilty for thinking he was a plonker and I courteously flash my indicators a few times.
These guys enjoy a Hamlet I think because I now notice white stuff coming out his window
raymundo:
I have found that a lot of Scots truckers will give a single flash on their indicators if you’re wanting to get past them and the road ahead is clear for you to do so but the further south you go the less times it happens, and that’s in me car, Suppose Scottish truckers are of a more considerate breed of driver …
Been doing that, whenever possible to get cars around me, especially on the A429 between ciren and stow where it’s straight but with dips. if its anything where I feel that my actions could put others in jeopardy I wont though.
raymundo:
I have found that a lot of Scots truckers will give a single flash on their indicators if you’re wanting to get past them and the road ahead is clear for you to do so but the further south you go the less times it happens, and that’s in me car, Suppose Scottish truckers are of a more considerate breed of driver …
Been doing that, whenever possible to get cars around me, especially on the A429 between ciren and stow where it’s straight but with dips. if its anything where I feel that my actions could put others in jeopardy I wont though.
Strangely enough I often do the opposite of that on the a15. You can see the car behind itching to get past, but with my better view of the road I can see they won’t make it because of oncoming traffic. I’ll move out slightly to the right blocking their overtake, but moving back left before the oncoming vehicle reaches me.
Even though I’ve probably saved their life, I’ve no doubt I’m probably still an ■■■■■■■■ in their eyes.
Manners have gone out the window it’s survival of the fittest and being a professional driver just seems to make you as a nuisance instead of a skilled driver even driver are turning on each other
I just couldn’t make it work and had to drive on and do a dodgy parking job in half a layby.
Most annoying when they almost take your step off on an empty road.