Driver responsible for safety

Well, I'll respond to the letter sent by W. Payne first by asking, can you say rant? Mr. Payne seems to only skim over these letters and miss the point completely.

The letters that I've been reading have been complaints about not flashing a thank-you and before I address this issue I'd like to point out to Mr. Payne that when a courtesy flash is given, the other driver is only informing the passing driver that he has successfully cleared his (and only his) vehicle.  There is no requirement that the passing driver must immediately change lanes.  Should a driver cut in without allowing a safe margin, this driver is at fault. The following driver is not tailgating. (Note the signs in Ohio for example.) 

Now as for the flashing of lights off/on as opposed to high-beam: many drivers have stated that if they turn their light off for the instant it takes to signal they can't see and might hit something. 

An experienced driver will habitually use a passing vehicle’s headlights to see farther up the road than his own lights allow. Thus, to extinguish your lights for an instant holds no hazard.

Flashing high-beam lights is a signal of warning, indicating that a hazard or problem exists. When a driver flashes high-beam lights at night he has caused the very hazard that was previously mentioned. The passing driver is now temporarily blinded and can hit something in the road, wrecking both vehicles. For this reason many drivers will not flash a thank-you for having been blinded. Most drivers would rather a passed driver not signal at all if he intends to use the high beams.

If a driver still doesn't feel comfortable turning his lights off/on then he can flash his cab lights with the interrupt switch. This signal is visible in the mirrors.

Contrary to the letter from Mr. Payne the flashing of lights to signal does not transfer responsibility to anyone about anything.  Each driver is responsible for the safe operation of his/her vehicle at all times, even if another person is acting as an additional set of eyes and guiding a driver when backing.

The driver is responsible for his/her vehicle.

In closing I would like to add that if the drivers and the trucking industry in general want to accomplish anything as a group, the first step is, stop the name calling.  You can't get anyone to stand with you if you are trying to step on them.

Jed Davis

Jonesboro, Ark.