When I learned to drive, when a big rig passed me, I was taught to flash my brights at them when the rig was far enough ahead to pull back over from the passing lane. Like clockwork, the driver would flash the tail lights as sort of a “thank you” or “got it”.

At some point the rigs seem to have stopped flashing the tail lights, and I notice that even the big rigs dont flash their brights to let another big rig know they are past.

Whats up with this? Is it an outdated thing? Do the trucks now have sensors or something that tells them when it is safe to change lanes so no longer necessary?

Just something I have been curious about and hoping someone can explain.

Its because the driving school you went to taught a LOT of bad stuff. (guessing you went to a truck driving school) Instead of blinding the guy with your brights you just blink your headlights off for a second. I get that I will blink trailer lights as a thank you.

So many trucks now have daytime driving lights, so in daylight I will flash the high beams as you can't turn the headlights off.
At dusk, I'll switch off the light briefly, that will kill everything but the daytime lights.
The western star I'm driving today has a headlight interrupt button,
Believe it's a freightliner thing, KW I usually drive doesn't have that feature, but then again anybody can drive a freightliner a truck driver drivers a k whopper

Oh I might have been taught to turn lights off, and then I somewhere along the line started flashing brights. No I dont have a CdL and never went to truck driving school, just something my dad or grandpa or someone along the line taught me. Or maybe it was in high school drivers-ed. Been like 40 years, cant remember some details. So you are saying I should still be doing this, just turning the lights off instead of flashing brights? It does make sense, if the brights blind the truck driver, I guess I just didnt think a quick flash in the mirror would blind anyone. Those trucks do have bigger mirrors though, I will start turning lights off instead of flashing brights.

I always blink my taillight when I come back over after being flashed but if you notice most trucks that don’t are California tagged do your homework and let me know I’m rite

I was told it is no longer legal to do this as too many insurance claims due to people purposely flash their lights and have the truck run into them or force them off the road, then collect on the insurance. Just what I heard.

It’s a nice gesture but nobody is taking anybody else’s “word for it” anymore.

loosanarrow, your watching that mirror to see if you cleared enough to change lanes then get those bright lights. Some are really bright. If you want to signal its safe just turn them off and on. The bright light thing was taught in schools. The theory is if the switch fails your lights are still on. I never had the light switch fail. Had the old style dimmer switch on the floor fail and my lights quit working. Thats exciting. Had turn signal switchs fail. Never had the toggle switch for headlights fail though its always a possibility.

Yep Hobbie, I never trust anything on a 4wheeler.

I think really the most important thing is just to give trucks plenty of room.

trapper red 315, I liked a 359 pete for comfort best and an R model mack for bad snow

Depends on the nationality of the driver. Some are severely handicapped

Miss living in Texas used to be lots of folks see you starting to pass pull to the outside of their lane so you didn't have to go so wide around them, just regular cars / trucks not talking about tractor trailers