Here's How Truckers Say You Can Signal Them About A Problem With Their Rig

Driving a large truck around all day is a highly demanding, stressful job. And that's under normal circumstances, when things are going well and the truck is performing as it should. Throw in some traffic and/or a mechanical issue, and stress levels can quickly soar, even for commercial truck drivers who don't own their own trucks. 

Additionally, sometimes trucks develop problems the driver isn't aware of. The size of the truck, traffic distractions, and blind spots can all prevent the driver from detecting problems with their rig. Problems easily missed by drivers include simple things like malfunctioning lights, but can also be more serious issues like burst or underinflated tires, open trailer doors, and even fire. 

In such situations, other motorists can help by alerting truck drivers. However, this isn't always straightforward — as explained in a post on Reddit's r/Truckers, it's important that your actions aren't interpreted by the truck driver as road rage, which can just cause confusion and distract them. So what's the best way to get their attention without creating more chaos? While there is an iconic trucker salute, there's no universal system of signals for alerting truck drivers to rig problems. But truckers have shared their preferred methods on social media, and certain signals are widely recognized and appreciated.

In a Quora post, one of the most common suggested methods is to pull up alongside the truck and non-aggressively sound your horn to attract the driver's attention, then point backward. There are even suggestions that you can use the horn to sound out SOS (three short — three long — three short). However, as other drivers point out, always consider your own safety first when following or driving alongside a rig with problems. 

The use of lights is another common one to appear on Quora. Again, flashing madly can be mistaken for a sign of aggression. Flashing your lights a few times is usually enough to get a driver's attention. 

Another suggestion, in a different thread on r/Truckers, is to pull in front of the truck and use your hazard lights to alert the driver. Waving your hand out the window while doing this can help the driver understand your actions. Finally, since truckers often use CB radios (saying things like "Breaker Breaker 1-9"), directly communicating with them on Channel 19, the general trucker channel, can be effective. 

While alerting a truck driver to a problem is undoubtedly helpful, your primary concern should always be your own safety. Attempting to get a driver's attention in heavy traffic, poor weather, or at high speeds can be distracting both for yourself and other drivers, and distraction increases the risk of a crash. 

If you need to signal a trucker, choose your moment carefully — avoid erratic driving, sudden braking, or aggressive horn blowing, all of which could startle the driver or be misinterpreted. If a trucker doesn't respond immediately, don't take it personally. Large vehicles have significant blind spots, and in busy conditions, a driver might not see or react to your signal right away. And, as noted in a different Quora post, some truckers may also be cautious about responding to signals from other motorists, interpreted them as a potential robbery or hijacking. 

For more serious issues like a dangerously loose trailer or fire, the best action is to call emergency services. Providing law enforcement with the truck's details and location can be the safest way to ensure that the driver is notified without any personal risk. Ultimately, the best approach is always safety first — use clear signals that are difficult to misinterpret, and only when it is prudent to do so. As one poster on yet another r/Truckers thread succinctly noted: "Don't be a hero."