Why do cars on side of freeway have bags in window?

[duragezic]

I've noticed quite a few times, that cars broke down on the side of highways always have a piece of cloth or usually a plastic bag stuck in the window.

Where I am from, there were no such things as freeways and ramps and such, so I never seen this before. Or is this just some thing in NY state?

After seeing it yet again last week, I asked a couple of people at work and no one could tell me.

 

[Shawn]

?

 

[theflyingpig]

I don't understand a word you just said.

 

[jlee]

'Don't mind me, I'm broken'?

 

[trmiv]

People do it here too. I think it means they plan on coming back for the car.

 

[rudeguy]

I like pie and that is all that matters.

 

[dbk]

Maybe as a sign to the tow truck? *shrug*

 

[bobsmith1492]

People who don't care about their cars don't care for them. If a window breaks, you tape a bag over it. When it breaks down, you leave it where it lies.

 

[kranky]

I always understood it to be an indication that the car is disabled and not abandoned, in the hope they won't tow it away before a mechanic comes to deal with it.

 

[pontifex]

its a sign that the car broke down and they are coming back to get it, not just abandoning it. Wow, you mean I actually know something that most atoters don't know? do i get to gloat and bash you all because of it now?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

It's to inform people that the car is broken down and not simply parked there.

 

[DrPizza]

I'm in NY also, and was told a couple years ago that it's a symbol for "breakdown." I left a vehicle along I-86 after my serpentine belt broke. Before I got back to the car with a replacement belt, I received a call from a state trooper just making sure that I was okay and hadn't been abducted or something.

So, now I know: if you're ever going to abduct someone from their car in New York, put a white bag in the window so that the police assume the car is just there because it broke down. That'll give you about 3 days before they threaten to have it towed.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: trmiv
People do it here too. I think it means they plan on coming back for the car.

as opposed to abandoned cars without the bag which was most likely a stolen vehicle taken for a joy ride.

 

[PingSpike]

I read some auto guide that said to put some kind of flag in your window to signify you were broken down...but I thought it was for when you were still in the car and waiting for the tow truck.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: pontifex
its a sign that the car broke down and they are coming back to get it, not just abandoning it. Wow, you mean I actually know something that most atoters don't know? do i get to gloat and bash you all because of it now?

Yeah really. This is actually a piece of information that I always thought to be common knowledge and well beneath the average intellect of an ATOTer; apparently I was wrong.

 

[boomerang]

Must be a regional thing. When a car is by the side of the road here, it has to be removed in three days IIRC. The Police put a red sticker on the car when they spot it. I assume it's dated also. After three days, it gets towed.

No bags in windows here.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: kranky
I always understood it to be an indication that the car is disabled and not abandoned, in the hope they won't tow it away before a mechanic comes to deal with it.

 

[moparacer]

One of my friends broke down along the road and tied a plastic bag to the mirror of his truck one time and when he we back to get it the next day someone took a dump in the bag and tied it back on.....I told him next time to tie a piece of cloth on it too so they could wipe.......

He wasn't impressed and lol'd the whole way back home.....

 

[bignateyk]

It's a sign that the driver knows there is a problem, plans on returning to the car, and does not need any assitance.

It lets other drivers know that the car isn't abandoned. More importantly, it llets other drivers know they don't need to pull over to assist the other driver.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: moparacer
One of my friends broke down along the road and tied a plastic bag to the mirror of his truck one time and when he we back to get it the next day someone took a dump in the bag and tied it back on.....I told him next time to tie a piece of cloth on it too so they could wipe.......

He wasn't impressed and lol'd the whole way back home.....

Maybe someone needed a bag to pick up some dog crap in Walmart.

 

[looker001]

Never seen it in Socal. Also, I believe you only have 2-3 hours to fix the car before it gets towed.

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: looker001
Never seen it in Socal. Also, I believe you only have 2-3 hours to fix the car before it gets towed.

I lived in California for my entire life up until two years ago and never saw it, but I see it all the time since I moved to NC.

 

[rockyct]

Originally posted by: trmiv

Originally posted by: looker001
Never seen it in Socal. Also, I believe you only have 2-3 hours to fix the car before it gets towed.

I lived in California for my entire life up until two years ago and never saw it, but I see it all the time since I moved to NC.

Yep, I've never seen it in California either. I didn't even know what the OP was talking about.

 

[schneiderguy]

Originally posted by: pontifex
its a sign that the car broke down and they are coming back to get it, not just abandoning it. Wow, you mean I actually know something that most atoters don't know? do i get to gloat and bash you all because of it now?

No, ATOT knows everything. They were just testing you.

 

[lokiju]

I now live in GA and lived most of my life in FL and have never seen this.