Several months ago, we posted an article on www.DEMARAS.com about the way big-rig truck drivers communicate on the road. Like flashing a high beam at a passing trucker to let them know their trailer has cleared the front of your cab.
Here’s a video we stumbled across on social media that shows the principles in practice. By blocking the lane, and giving signals, the bus driver prevented an incident for the passing car. Just… beautiful
On the few occasions a big-rig passes me, I flash it when it’s cleared. I worked on big rigs for six months when I was finishing my master’s degree in the mid-80s. I had to take one out for a test drive after I finished repairing it. That was an experience.
Yup, I don’t care how experienced a driver is, it much me nice for a big rig driver to get a quick flash of the lights to say ‘you’re clear’. And it also tells them you’re not going to do something stupid like speed up, all crestfallen that someone passed you!
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I always found it interesting that the truckers have their own communication code.
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How was it driving that rig? Did it have 18 forward gears or something crazy like that?
It did have 18 foward gears and no front brakes. I smoked the tires and drifted a bit when I braked going into a corner.
No front brakes? Why!
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I’ll admit I know nothing about big-rigs (and that 18 gears was a wild guess) but I thought slowing every available wheel was a GOOD idea. Does it lead to spin-outs and jack-knifes?
This was a flat-nose truck. Front brakes without a trailer would stand it on end.
OK…that makes sense. Like me on my BMX bike. Slam on the front brakes, and you’re going over.
This must be an AI-generated video. Courtesy? On the road? Impossible!
It’s amazing to see people actually trying to keep it flowing rather than racing each other.
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Must be fake…
I know, right? Nobody is that considerate behind the wheel. It’s just not possible…
Sometimes I try to be nice, slow down when cars are on the on ramp, flick my lights at them. Im not sure people now what Im trying to do.
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Theyll go to the end of the acceleration lane then SLAM on the brakes.
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Makes me wanna stay home.
Yeah, I get you. I’ll slow down when I see someone signaling to merge into my lane, and they ignore me. Only to hit the gas later to cut off the car in front of me, like the gap in front of my car wasn’t good enough for them… Whatever…
One thing that drives me bonkers (yet I sometimes catch myself doing it, too) is speeding up while being passed.
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Like, we think we’re ‘the quick guy’ then someone goes by. Who cares! Maybe he’s in a rush, maybe his wife is having a baby. Why does it bother people to get passed.
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When I catch myself doing the same atupid thing, I banish myself to the right lane… with the slow-pokes.