Trucker code? (lights)

[Captain Ledd]

I've noticed driving down the road that some of the semi's will blink their lights/brakes/turn-signal in a certain sequence, I think mostly to tell when it's safe to merge back over after passing. At least that's when I notice it.

Does anyone know what the sequences are and what they mean?

 

[RonD]

I don't know if there is a "code" written down anywhere.

The double flash of high beams from approaching traffic usually means "cops ahead", radar or speed trap, a "heads up", just FYI, this is illegal in some areas
More than double flash means other "danger" ahead in your direction, i.e. debris in the road, stalled vehicle, ect...

When you are being passed by a truck, or someone with longer trailer, it is a courtesy to do a double flash of high beams when it is safe for them to pull back over into your lane.
They will often responded "thank you" by flashing parking lights a few times.

Any courteous maneuver is often thanked by the flashing of parking lights.

Brake lights are not usually used for the obvious reason, but some do double tap lightly on brake pedal as a thank you

 

[Tedybear]

I don't know if there is a "code" written down anywhere.

The double flash of high beams from approaching traffic usually means "cops ahead", radar or speed trap, a "heads up", just FYI, this is illegal in some areas
More than double flash means other "danger" ahead in your direction, i.e. debris in the road, stalled vehicle, ect...

When you are being passed by a truck, or someone with longer trailer, it is a courtesy to do a double flash of high beams when it is safe for them to pull back over into your lane.
They will often responded "thank you" by flashing parking lights a few times.

Any courteous maneuver is often thanked by the flashing of parking lights.

Brake lights are not usually used for the obvious reason, but some do double tap lightly on brake pedal as a thank you

Legal issues regarding this always pop up. It's amusing to see all the freedom of speech advocates come out to play. (Yeah, I agree it should never be illegal, under freedom of speech and expression.)

Not sure about any 'codes' like Ron mentioned. Mostly a few flashes for pulling in/out, "Thank You" flashes for merging. Usually I just kick on the old Cobra and listen in... Seems like even the most northern NY'er turns into a southern "Redneck" clone when they get on a CB. Like it's "Smokey and the Bandit" and they are role playing.

We might have a few professional truckers on the group. Our upper neighbor is a long haul driver, I can always ask him. He's been driving long haul for about 10 years...

S-

 

[Captain Ledd]

The last 2 people I've flashed when there was an accident/danger ahead, the first time they gave me a long flash with their brights, and the 2nd time they just never turned them off. So I've since quit doing it, similar for police ahead.

When you are being passed by a truck, or someone with longer trailer, it is a courtesy to do a double flash of high beams when it is safe for them to pull back over into your lane.
They will often responded "thank you" by flashing parking lights a few times.

Any courteous maneuver is often thanked by the flashing of parking lights.

Brake lights are not usually used for the obvious reason, but some do double tap lightly on brake pedal as a thank you

I think this is pretty much what I've been seeing. Sometimes I think there was a turn signal thing involved. Like two lefts and a right I thought I saw once. Could be wrong on that one though.

 

[RonD]

The turn signal thing is usually to let driver behind know he has forgotten to turn his turn signal off.
I am getting old now so get that alot, lol

 

[CKRobin]

The whole flashing to let you know you have passed as a courtesy started way back before trucks had air ride suspension and the roads were very rough. It has never been appropriate to flush your bright lights at anyone this is dangerous to start with not to mention very annoying. The proper courtesy is to cut your lights off and back on. In today's time there's really no need for this unless they're just heavy traffic around. The technology of today's roads and today's suspension systems allow for us to see out of our rearview mirror's well enough that it is perfectly clear when we have completed a pass. Quite frankly if I'm still close enough to question whether or not I'm around you, I'm still too close to you to get in front of you as I would just cut off your safe following distance.
I have been driving trucks for over 20 years and have never heard of any "code" for flashing of lights. The question about to flash is to the left and one to the right is generally just say thank you for flashing your headlights to let me know that I passed you often times trucks are not equipped with a switch to easily cut off the tell lights or little of the running lights on so instead of turning lights on the back off of slippery with that switch it is easier to get to the turn signal it's a MILF you in One Direction and then a few of the other direction to say thank you

Oh that's just too funny I'm not even going to edit it and correct what the voice to text did to that one.


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[rusty ol ranger]

The marker light flash done by a truck who just passed simply means "thank you"

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have been on the fence forever wondering if it meant something or was just a bad connection.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I drive truck

Every truck ive ever driven has an actual interuptter switch just for flashing marker lights.

 

[wildbill23c]

Just a simple way of letting someone know its ok to pull back into the lane after passing, flashing tail lights just thanking them for signaling it was safe to pull back into the lane. This is extremely helpful to those pulling a trailer, and truck drivers do it a lot.

I don't drive truck but have done a lot of towing over the years and I still do it even if I'm not towing anything to let truck drivers know they are clear of my vehicle that they can pull back into the lane.

There isn't any code anywhere, its just a simple courtesy to help other drivers, especially those pulling trailers that make it difficult to judge when you are safely a head of the vehicle you passed and can pull back into the lane.