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Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: Howie Feltersnatch ()
Date: July 15, 2009 10:49AM

Often when I see a broken down car at the side of the road, it's got a white towel or Tshirt hanging out the driver's side window. What's that supposed to indicate? I've only seen that in this area. Is this something they teach in Drivers' Ed and I was just absent that day?

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: RESton Peace ()
Date: July 15, 2009 10:51AM

a white flag is the international sign of surrender. I never learned that in school, though.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2009 10:52AM by RESton Peace.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: fairfaxdude ()
Date: July 15, 2009 10:55AM

I think it means "free for the taking". The keys are in it, the pink slip is on the passenger seat, already signed. Just hook it up and it's yours.

______________________________________________
I have had to change the addresses to my retaliatory blogs over half a dozen times.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2009 10:55AM by fairfaxdude.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: RESton Peace ()
Date: July 15, 2009 10:56AM

could be that it's a signal you broke down, and didn't just park there (avoiding a ticket).

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: Warhawk ()
Date: July 15, 2009 10:58AM

RESton Peace Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> a white flag is the international sign of
> surrender.


A tradition probably started by the French.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: RESton Peace ()
Date: July 15, 2009 10:59AM

Warhawk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> RESton Peace Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > a white flag is the international sign of
> > surrender.
>
>
> A tradition probably started by the French.


Actually... the french do play a pivotal role in the history of the white flag.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: July 15, 2009 12:00PM

As far as I know, the white towel is to indicate that your car has broken down, and you're coming back to fix it.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: Merrion Berry ()
Date: July 15, 2009 09:24PM

That white flag means you is a whitey who wears a white hood and you will kill anyone who tries to steal your spinners.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: Lurker. ()
Date: July 15, 2009 09:42PM

A white flag means your car has broken down and you want a Virginia DMV truck to stop or you are getting help. Bascially don't tow this car away.

Technically I think you are also suppose to raise the hood of the car.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: ThePackLeader ()
Date: July 15, 2009 10:23PM

Lurker. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A white flag means your car has broken down and
> you want a Virginia DMV truck to stop or you are
> getting help. Bascially don't tow this car away.
>
> Technically I think you are also suppose to raise
> the hood of the car.


Oh forget raising the hood, so what, someone can steal your battery as well?

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: Thurston Moore ()
Date: July 15, 2009 10:27PM

I think it serves two purposes, one as a signal that your car is disabled, two to aid in visibility.

I've been all over the country and seen it just about everywhere. It's also something I've known for as long as I can remember, but obviously don't know the exact origin and purpose. I think this is something they do even in Germany.

I couldn't find anything particular to Virginia, but found this on the Texas DPS site:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/tle/traveltips.htm#breakdown

What to do if your vehicle breaks down.

Stay calm.
Park as far off the traveled portion of the highway as possible.
Make your vehicle visible - turn on your flashers.
Exit the vehicle from the passenger's side, away from traffic.
Open the vehicle's hood and leave it open.
Tie a light colored cloth to the antennae or door handle.
If possible, stay with the vehicle until uniformed law enforcement arrives, especially at night or during bad weather.
Place a "Send Help" sign in a window so it is visible to other motorists.
If someone stops to help, keep your doors locked, crack a window, and ask them to call law enforcement for help.

If you decide you must walk, write down:
Your name
the date
The time you left.
The direction you are going.
The plate number of the vehicle you are riding in.
Description of the vehicle.
name and description of the person you are riding with.
Notify law enforcement of the location and circumstances in which you left your vehicle.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: tomahawk ()
Date: July 16, 2009 11:27PM

Warhawk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> RESton Peace Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > a white flag is the international sign of
> > surrender.
>
>
> A tradition probably started by the French.


Oh, I get it. French. Surrender. Ha ha. And your name is "warhawk", so you must not be French. Ha ha. So clever. I get it.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: ThePackLeader ()
Date: July 17, 2009 12:00AM

Thurston Moore Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think it serves two purposes, one as a signal
> that your car is disabled, two to aid in
> visibility.
>
> I've been all over the country and seen it just
> about everywhere. It's also something I've known
> for as long as I can remember, but obviously don't
> know the exact origin and purpose. I think this
> is something they do even in Germany.
>
> I couldn't find anything particular to Virginia,
> but found this on the Texas DPS site:
>
> http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/tle/traveltips.htm#br
> eakdown
>
> What to do if your vehicle breaks down.
>
> Stay calm.
> Park as far off the traveled portion of the
> highway as possible.
> Make your vehicle visible - turn on your flashers.
>
> Exit the vehicle from the passenger's side, away
> from traffic.
> Open the vehicle's hood and leave it open.
> Tie a light colored cloth to the antennae or door
> handle.
> If possible, stay with the vehicle until uniformed
> law enforcement arrives, especially at night or
> during bad weather.
> Place a "Send Help" sign in a window so it is
> visible to other motorists.
> If someone stops to help, keep your doors locked,
> crack a window, and ask them to call law
> enforcement for help.
>
> If you decide you must walk, write down:
> Your name
> the date
> The time you left.
> The direction you are going.
> The plate number of the vehicle you are riding in.
>
> Description of the vehicle.
> name and description of the person you are riding
> with.
> Notify law enforcement of the location and
> circumstances in which you left your vehicle.


Again, NEVER leave your hood open if you plan to leave the vehicle unattended. It's a good way to "lose" your Battery, and possibly other portions your vehicle as well (Especially if you have HID's, Aftermarket Intakes, or any likewise sought after item).

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: Warhawk ()
Date: July 17, 2009 09:19AM

tomahawk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Warhawk Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > RESton Peace Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > a white flag is the international sign of
> > > surrender.
> >
> >
> > A tradition probably started by the French.
>
>
> Oh, I get it. French. Surrender. Ha ha. And your
> name is "warhawk", so you must not be French. Ha
> ha. So clever. I get it.



You read waaaay too much into a little one-line zinger aimed at a stereotype about the French.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: Stepping Razor ()
Date: July 17, 2009 09:48AM

The white towel is the international symbol of contracting dengue fever from the mike o'meara show. someone vished it on their vorst enemy.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: MOFOYO ()
Date: July 17, 2009 10:51AM

+1

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: Jive Turkey ()
Date: July 17, 2009 11:00AM

Jesus dude. I remember the WAVA days on 105.1FM. That show was cool......back when I was in elementary school. Those childish jokes get tiring after a month.

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Re: Broken down cars with white towels
Posted by: LOLcat ()
Date: July 17, 2009 11:35AM

I thawt dey just Surrendered ther chezburghers?

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