Safely drive with truckers.
You can’t drive very far without encountering a truck driver on the road. While driving near semi-trucks might be intimidating to many people, you must realize those truck drivers are some of the most experienced drivers on the road.
Driving is their daily job, and they are very experienced and professional in driving and communicating with other drivers on the road.
Learning to speak their “light language” can be a huge safety benefit for you, the truckers, and other vehicles on the road.
Flashing Headlights (oncoming traffic)
One of the most common and recognizable signals on the road is flashing your headlights. While many people will do this to notify oncoming traffic that there is a police officer ahead, usually when a trucker does this it is to notify you that there is a reason for you to slow down ahead. This could be a police officer shooting radar, road hazards, or a slowdown in traffic. The reason for flashing headlights may be any of the previously listed reasons but the meaning of the signal is for you to take the appropriate action, and slow down ahead.
Note: Flashing your lights to notify drivers of a police officer ahead is illegal in many areas. So make sure you know the local laws.
Flashing Headlights
When a truck driver or RV is passing you and they need to move back into the right lane, they will turn the signal on before they are 100% sure they can get over. They are waiting to ensure they have enough room to get over and let the traffic in that lane know they need to move over.
To help them, flash your headlights when they have enough room to move over safely. When they have safely moved over, you may see them flash their brake lights at you. Flashing their taillights is their way of saying "Thank You." (more about Thank You lights are listed below).
Hazard Lights On
When a truck driver is still on the road and has the hazard lights flashing, it can mean they are significantly slowing down due to the incline of a hill or a slowdown in traffic ahead. The height of the flashing lights on a semi trailer makes it much easier in the event of a traffic slowdown. Seeing this is an excellent indicator for you to slow down and is also a good time to turn your hazard lights on to help notify other drivers behind you.
Saying “Thank You”.
When a trucker or other vehicle helps you on the road by signaling with their lights that it is clear for you to switch lanes, it is always polite to say thank you. To say thank you, a few taps of the brake lights.
Another way to say thank you is with your blinkers. If you are in the right lane, use the right blinker, and if in the left lane, use the left blinker. After you have made your lane change and would like to say thank you, signal with the appropriate blinker, just a few flashes, to say thank you.
Move Over
It would be best if you always moved over when you see a semi-truck on the right shoulder. The trucker may be experiencing a mechanical issue, or they may just be checking their load for safety, and they need to be out of their truck. Moving over allows them to safely check their rig so they can get back on the road.
Speaking of getting back on the road, this is another reason for you to move over. A loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. When it comes time for them to get back on the road, they will have a slow start and need plenty of space to get moving.
Clear the right lane and allow them to get moving again safely.
They will do the same for you!