Why some people place a plastic bag at their car's window when they car break down?
(2010-05-30 20:20:01) 1. Says: I found some poeple hang a plastic bag at the front window when their car break down. Does that mean "I will removed my car soon?" or "I am sorry. My car will be here for a long time."2. Says: When police spot a car by the roadside, it's often difficult to tell whether the car has been abandoned, if the motorist has gone to get the help they need, and whether or not the owner is coming back soon or even during that same day.Most people are unprepared for their car to break down, and usually don't have paper and pen on hand to leave a note. Many vehicles get ticketed and even towed because of this, especially when they break down in the middle of the road, causing traffic jams or being a hazard to other motorists. When vehicle owners do leave a note, messages are often scribbled on all sorts of bits of scrap paper and napkins which are usually illegible.
While many individuals have cell phones in their cars, there are areas where cell phones don't work due to bad reception, such as rural areas. And even when the cell phone is used, for example, to call someone to pick them up, the car is left by itself for a period of time.
Roadside Message Board: Unique Features & Benefits:
The Roadside Message Board is a low-cost, ready-to-use emergency signage kit that can be quickly and easily set-up on a car window, to provide clear communication between stranded motorists and local police, while the driver goes to find help.
The Roadside Message Board is a rectangular lightweight and plastic board, about the size of a car license plate, that attaches to any window with two suction cups which are reversible, allowing users to place it on the inside of the window [if they're leaving] or on the rear of the car [if they're inside]. The message board features a special slot where users insert one of 10 pre-printed message strips. It also has a whiteboard space and dry erase pen for adding handwritten notes.
The messages strips include the most frequently used phrases, including:
car trouble;
please do not ticket;
be back in ___ minutes;
please do not tow;
overheated;
battery dead;
went for help;
flat tire;
out of gas
for sale.
To help alert passing motorists, the message board also features a flashing red safety light with a replaceable long-life battery which lasts approximately 96 hours. When not in use, the Roadside Message Board is easy to store and fits comfortably under most car seats or above the sun visor.3. Says: It usually means their junk broke down and is not abandoned. Good luck!4. Says: "Use a solid white (plastic bag) tied to your car antenna or rolled up in a road-facing window when you are parked on the side of the road in case your car breaks down"
http://www.packagingknowledge.com/plastic_bags.asp
I guess that way they don't think it's foul play... if a tow truck sees it they will pull over, too.5. Says: I have been driving since 1966 and have seen a couple of different uses of this bag / flag out the window behavior. AAA says do that to signal that you have broken down and not just waiting in the middle of the desert for your child to go to the bathroom behind some bush... At one time in Florida this was the signal for the State Patrol that a motorist had ran out of gas waiting in line for Disneyland or did not realize that there are places in Florida, especially in the Everglades and the 15 mile long bridge to Key West where you can not find gas... That is the generally accepted meaning of the signal... Most states road laws allow you to park / abandon a vehicle on the right-of-way for about 24 hours, some longer before they are towed... Depending on it's location in regards to certain security interest locations like airports, federal buildings and such you may be towed between the time you get out to stick the envelope in the mail slot and get back... Most states allow a car to be parked on the side of most roads for up to 30 days before they are declared abandoned and are towed to city / county impound to be traced back to the owner. IF the owner is not found or does not return the notice, then in some cases the car is turned over to the person that "found" it... This gets a little strange, but in some states, abandoned cars fall into the same category as abandoned farm equipment and can be claimed / found by the next person to come by... Once the 30 day period is passed, the first person to "claim" the car, can have it... The law of Finders keepers.. How it works differs, but sometimes you register the "find" with the local sheriff's office...
Most laws forbid your car being towed while a person, which includes your infant, but not your pet, occupies the vehicle... Most laws forbid an officer of the law from forcibly removing you from said vehicle, unless there is some overriding reason. Do not argue this point with him, that will be resisting arrest. Some state laws says once the tow truck driver puts a hook on the car, then he has the right to tow or collect tow charges... BUT in actual practice, I sit in the car knowing he can not tow, he knows that, he is entitled to his towing and storage fees, but he knows he is losing money as long as I sit there... So I offer him half the tow to release the car... which so far works and makes it and expensive parking fee...
Using the flag out the window is good as long as you are in an area where drivers / law enforcement recognize the meaning of the flag... But so too do the bad guys... Be careful
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