It's a familiar sight on the motorway: trucks flashing their lights at each other. But why do they do this? In this blog, we discuss three common reasons why truck drivers signal to each other, as well as the rules for using lights in traffic.
1. Overtaking safely: signal to return to the right-hand lane
One of the main reasons trucks signal to each other is to indicate that the overtaking truck can safely return to the right-hand lane. When you overtake another truck as a driver, it can be difficult to see whether there is enough room to move back to the right. The driver who has been overtaken will therefore often give a brief signal with their lights to let their colleague know it is safe to return.
2. Thanking someone after overtaking
After receiving a signal that it is safe to move back after overtaking, the driver sometimes briefly signals back to say thank you. This lets the other driver know that he has seen and appreciates the signal. It's a friendly gesture, but it has no other specific purpose.
3. Camaraderie and recognition
Drivers who work for the same company or drive similar trucks often signal to one another as a sign of camaraderie and recognition. In this situation, signaling is like greeting a colleague, but from and through the truck.
Rules for flashing lights in traffic
Although truck drivers often have positive intentions when flashing their lights, it is important to be aware of the traffic rules. In the Netherlands, for example, you may briefly flash your high beams to warn other road users of a dangerous situation. However, using your high beams for an extended period or flashing them without a good reason may be considered disruptive or even dangerous, and is not permitted by law. So it’s good to know that unnecessary use of your lights, as in points 2 and 3, could result in a fine.
