Rear end collisions account for about half of all car accidents. Every year, over 1,700 people are killed in these types of accidents in the United States, and hundreds of thousands more are injured. To reduce this, truckers are advised to flash their lights to signal their presence on the road.
Because their livelihood is dependent on safe travel, truck drivers are often the most cautious drivers on the road. To do this, many truck drivers utilize flashing lights to communicate with other trucks and road users.
Truckers communicate using their headlights and front identification lamps. Even normal cars use their headlights to signal something as simple as “thank you” when the situation calls for it. One of the rules of the road in understanding the truck driver’s signal, it’s hard to use the road and not come across trucks. Asides, signaling their presence, truckers use lights to communicate many things, this write up, we will talk about the various reasons why truckers flash their lights.
Reasons Truck Drivers Flash Their Lights
Have you ever noticed a trucker flashing their high lights at you? Maybe it is a cause for concern, a helpful tip, or an urgent warning. Let’s see some of the reasons.
- To Signal a Roadblock or an Accident. There could be a large object on the road or an accident ahead. As an indication of an impending altercation, some truckers in opposing traffic will flash their high beams many times.
- There is a Speed Trap Ahead. You may have witnessed a truck driver flash his high lights twice as he passed you on the other side of the road. Though it is illegal in some places, some truckers have been known to give you a heads up that a police speed trap is on its way.
- To Make a Lane Change. Truck drivers will sometimes flash their lights to give you the thumbs up to complete your lane move back in front of them. This is especially useful after dark when you’re not sure if they ever saw you pass them in the first place.
- To Express Gratitude. The double flash of the bright beams is generally seen as a massive “thank you” between all vehicles, frequently for allowing them into a needed traffic lane. Many truckers, though, would tell you that this ‘thank you is best offered during daylight hours when high beams are less likely to temporarily impede your vision.
- To Determine the Proximity of an Oncoming Vehicle. As a service to other drivers, truckers flashlights. It might be difficult to measure distances in the rearview mirror while overtaking a truck. So to ensure you have moved far enough ahead to safely get back into the lane. Truckers flash their lights quickly, it signals the passing car that “all is clear.”
Types of Truck Lights
The lights on your truck serve three functions: they allow you to see, they allow you to be seen, and they allow you to communicate your intentions to other drivers. Here are some truck lights and what they signal. Headlights. To alert others of your presence, flash your headlights. They should not be used to greet people, express irritation, or offer priority to other road users because they may misinterpret your signal.
- Brake lights. When slowing down, notify oncoming traffic with a few light taps on the brake pedal enough to flash the brake lights. Also, when traveling slowly or coming to a complete stop, use the four-way emergency flashers.
- Tail Lights. Taillights must emit only red light at the rear of the vehicle and must be wired in such a way that they illuminate whenever the headlights are turned on. This allows drivers behind you to understand that you’re there and how far ahead you are.
- Front Identification Lamps. The three marker lamps at the top-rear of the truck, situated around the vehicle’s center line, are referred to as “identifying lights.” Following drivers will be made aware that the vehicle equipped with these lights is wider than 80 inches and needs room.
- Hazard Lights. They are situated in the front and rear of the car and are also known as flashers. When activated, they emit a flashing signal to tell other drivers that you are experiencing a problem, are in distress, or are warning of impending risk. They should only be used as warnings of distress or traffic concerns, never as a stop signal or an unlawful parking permit.
Conclusion
Truckers are a key part of the economy, they do a great deal of work by delivering and transporting goods. Obeying road laws and ensuring safety is part of their duty. One way to do this is by communicating with their lights. As a road user, understanding these light signals is essential. Although you may not be able to recognize all the light signals at once with a great deal of experience