Am I correct about the thanks signal?

Four ways are to warn others of a hazardous situation or to be seen if broken down, they put the marker interrupt on trucks for a reason. Lord forbid someone have to reach all the way up to the dash to hit the lights, as we all know the 4ways and dimmer switch are much closer and more convienant. During daytime to thank some one I simply flip my marker lights on and off twice this will light up all the trlr lights and not flash the headlights. At night use the marker intrpt. And to clear a fellow driver just flip ur headlights on and off real quick. Please don't hibeam. Ps its not ALL the greenhorns! Just the ones who haven't been told the proper way.

 

Not all trucks have interrupt switches. If you don't, you can get creative by using your marker lights, with a quick left and right signal or even say thanks over the CB. Never use your high beams for signaling. Especially older drivers and ones with less than perfect vision, high beams is like sending a shock wave through ones tired eyes and brain. Show a little respect.

It's nice to be polite, but don't be one of these monkey see, monkey do drivers. You do what you know and feel is right. Some don't realize if you are the slowest thing on the road, some 500 trucks can pass you in a day. That's a heck of alot of switch flipping.

Some drivers you flash when they are clear, they about take your hood off. You wait until there is a safe distance, they get impatient and come over anyways. Sometimes you get in a bind and need to come over quick to help the guy coming up behind you. That's the only time I'll rely on someone else. You don't want to put anyone in a tailgating position. Extend your lane change if you can.

I see way too many drivers come over prematurely simply because they are into the light flashing thing. They forget about safe distances. All it takes is a steer tire to blow or a deer run out in front of you at the wrong time and you have a situation on your hands. No safety man will accept, the other guy flashed me over. It's up to you and only you to protect your space.

I'm not saying don't do it, because I even play the game. Just keep in mind what I said about protecting your own space.

 

My marker "interrupt" switch will flash the lights on when I do not have the main switch turned on. Since both that one and headlight interrupt are on the steering wheel, I don't have to let go of the steering wheel to reach them. I guess that makes me a "steering wheel holder" since I use those functions and continue holding the steering wheel as I press the little buttons. Yeah?

And do me a favor: Don't "brights" me. Usually, it's just about the time I'm looking in my mirror to see whether I have cleared you ....and POW!! I get the brights treatment. That's about the time I'll return the compliment with a single flash of the left blinker.

Many of the old-timers know what that means. For the noobs, it means:.

 

I believe you are exempt from swh status if all your controls are on the wheel! You don't have much choice in the matter.

 

Kinda sad but I'm sure you see the same a lot. Normally before I feel there is a safe distance and can flick the lights to clear em they are already in my lane and running off.

 

I don't see any problem with using the 4 ways to signal 'thank you'. Been doing it for years, this is the first time I've heard it was a no no, according to some supertruckers.

You don't leave 'em on for 5 minutes, but a few seconds gets the message across.

 

Well it is kind of common and I don't think it is a huge deal. But personally I only use em if I absolutely have to, I don't think it is a written no no

 

As far as flashing a driver over if the truck doesn't have a dimmer on the headlights ill take the extra 1.5 seconds to reach the light switch on the dash and briefly kill the lights. And for a thanks, if there's a marker interupt I use that if not ill quickly turn my lights on and off or as bad as I hate 2 ill pull the 4 ways 2 flashes is all I leave em on for. I used to confirm and thank over the CB but seems only a few drivers know how to turn one on.

 

I'll alert it's clear to merge by flashing my headlights off or on (depending upon if it's night or day) and thank drivers by hitting my 4-ways for a couple blinks. I have no interrupt switch on my Pete either. Regardless, I'll acknowledge their thoughtfulness with a 4-way flash, wave, clearance light flash, whatever I can use...to thank the driver for their courtesy.

 

I think the big problem is they were taught that's when you get over, not when you are clear which are two different things.

I usually blink my lights after someone tells me I'm clear while still in the left lane. That way they know I'm thankful but I'm not ready to come over yet.