Why are lorries on the motorway always randomly flashing their lights?
Answers:
Most UK truckers have an excellent grasp of road etiquiite and courtesy. The flashing of headlamps has several uses - and different signals.
The ones most other motorists will notice is the 1 second long flash when one has just been passed by another, this is in recognition & to advise the overtaker that the have cleared the other vehicle & it is safe to pull back into that lane. They may do this for cars, caravans & small vans - just to aid them.
The short single flash is usually just a 'hello' to a truck on the other carriageway. Multiple flashes can sometimes be taken as a warning - either a road hazard..or speed trap!!
Commonly on 'B' roads, a large vehicle indicating left a couple of times (or less commonly right) where there are no junctions means the road ahead is visibly clear - and the following car may wish to attempt an overtake.
The left-right-left indicator thank you is also fairly common and being used more & more by car drivers.
ALL of these are in contravention of The Highway Code - but only the grumpiest trafiic cop, having the worst day would be petty enough to caution you for their use.
Its a courtsey signal to let vehicles know its ok to pull back in the the same lane.
Sometimes they are to show you that you can pull in or out in front of them. Sometimes they are just saying hello to their mates in the other lanes.
I thought they did it to let an overtaking lorry know that it's ok to pull in.
Are you sure it's random? The lorry drivers might be flashing their lights at other lorry drivers to say "Hello". Alternatively, they might be doing it to attract the attention of other motorists for various (perhaps safety related) reasons.
Lorries on motorways flash their lights when they have been over taken by another Lorrie, as one passes the front end of the other the driver flashes to indicate to the other driver that it is safe to pull in to the first lane. The 1st lane is for driving in and the other lanes are for overtaking.
its a common courtesy between truck drivers to let them know its OK to move back into the other lane once they have over taken another truck
try it and see what happens but leave the truck enough room to move into they will either flash indicators flash rear lights it just helps them move out of the way quicker
.look closely and you will find it is the drivers not the lorries are flashing the lorry lights at other lorry drivers to show the other drivers that they are aware of their presence
It's a thank you or an all clear sign for other vehicles, overtaking lorries /or cars. A way of letting them know, they have enough room to pull back in
its a gay ritual I believe that has been built up by the filthy truckers
What are you telling us, that instructional materials from motor licensing bureaus don't teach what used to be common knowledge?
If you are driving and a truck.er.sorry, I mean lorry.(I ain't no stinkin' brit, so bollocks to the whole lot of ya! or so me mum says) passes you, you should likewise "randomly flash" your lights to signal the lorry driver when it is safe for him to go back into your lane.
The flashing of lorry lights is never random. It could be a signal to another lorry that is passing that it can pull in. It might be to say thank you to a car that has just passed that previously flashed its lights to let the lorry out to pass someone else.
Lorry drivers are usually very polite in their driving habits. They have a hard job with the speed limiters that are fitted to their vehicles. They show good manners and appreciation. To do so they use their headlights and their turn signals. Sometimes you will get a wave as you pass them if you have previously just left them a gap to move out into.
If letting them out, just remember to flash your lights to let them know you are doing so.
I am not a lorry driver; just a car driver doing a lot of miles each year who knows some road sense.
A lorry driver will wait until the overtaking vehicle is clear of them, and can see the overtaking driver in their own mirror, before flashing his driving lights to indicate that it is safe to pull in.
The overtaking driver will respond with a similar gesture.
Often to let you know there is a police presence ahead, speed cameras or vehicle check points
The lorry that has been over-taken will flash his lights to show that it is safe for the lorry to pull back in front of him with enough space so not to cause any accidents. This is usally greeted with a 3 indicator flash,left,right then left again..this is an unwritten 'thank you' rule.
Just to let you know they're there. it's difficult sometimes to see these HUGE 36 wheel projectiles as they hurtle down the M6 in the middle lane at 60MPH.. plus the fact the long distance guys get bored and need switches to play with.
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