Broken Down on Side of Road

[dizcom]

Who can explain what the rag hanging out of the window of a vehicle parked on the side of the road means? I don't think anyone really knows.


Is it because you don't need help?
Is it because you do need help?
Is it because you need a tow?
Is it because you already called a tow?
Is it because the vehicle is abandoned?
Is it because you are in the vehicle?
Is it because you're out of gas?


Exactly what does the rag/shirt/bag/brassiere hanging out of the window mean? Does it mean something different if it's a different item? Does it mean something different if it's hanging out a different window?

[Hpozzuoli]

They are horny. Please stop in????!

[FloridaSon]

That sounded familiar from my Driver’s Ed days here in FL. (50 years ago, 🙄 so I looked it up and found an article from just yesterday.

This is from NC but other states may be included too.

From the article: “The towel is meant to signal a need for help. According to page 70 of the North Carolina Driver’s Handbook (what, you haven’t read this since driver’s ed?), “If you need help, tie a white cloth to the left door handle or the radio aerial and raise the hood of the vehicle.”

Also: “According to Steve Abbott, Assistant Director of Communications for North Carolina Department of Transportation, the white cloth is meant to signal law enforcement or, if it is a stretch of road that has the IMAP service (aka The Immediate Motorist Assistance Program), it’s signaling one of the IMAP drivers.”

Link to the entire article.
Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/ch...#storylink=cpy

[dizcom]

So what does it mean when there's a rag in the window and nobody in or around the vehicle??? I think everyone knows that the hood open means there's a problem with the vehicle. Does it mean you're good to go unless there's no rag??

[GypsyR]

I always took it to mean that the vehicle was disabled. IE, they did not just pull because someone just HAD to pee, the baby exploded again, or they saw something neat run into the woods.

[Camp CA]

It basically means ‘Yes, I know it looks like I’ve abandoned this vehicle, but it just broke down and I swear I’m coming back to get it. Please don’t tow or ticket it.’”

Never done that..............hopefully never will need to.

[rk911]

Originally Posted by Camp CA

It basically means ‘Yes, I know it looks like I’ve abandoned this vehicle, but it just broke down and I swear I’m coming back to get it. Please don’t tow or ticket it.’”

Never done that..............hopefully never will need to.

+1
https://getjerry.com/questions/why-d...de-of-the-road