What does it mean when a tractor-trailer flashes his brights on a US highway?
Today, I was driving on the highway with light snow but enough to slow traffic. During the drive my car hit a patch of packed snow and ice causing my car to veer slightly to the right. As I corrected my car, a tractor-trailer behind me flashed his brights at me.
What does this mean?
He had plenty of space between us, so I am not sure the cause of why he/she did this. Also, in the past I have had truckers flash me with the brights when I change lanes on the highway. I did not cut them off or give them any cause to be upset towards me.
Is there a secret signal for flashing vehicles I do not know about?
Best Answer
This Answer requires some presumption based on experience. But...
- The driver is alerting you to the presence of a large vehicle behind which in low visibility situation, you might not see. That vehicle requires substantially more stopping distance than a car.
- The driver saw you swerve, thought you are a bad driver and is expressing their displeasure.
While not this case, truckers flashing lights to oncoming traffic has been a signal that law enforcement is stationed ahead.
As for your previous experience, while you might not think you cut them off, professional drivers have a different, less tolerant, view of such things.
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