The history of a white T-shirt or cloth in abandoned car windows on North Carolina's highways finally has an answer
- A white cloth in a car window is a signal – but do you understand it?
- This practice started in the 1940s on Pennsylvania’s toll roads
- It is common in North Carolina, and the state highway patrol recommends it
Published on Jan 01, 2025 at 11:00 AM (UTC-5)
by Daksh Chaudhary
Last updated on Jan 01, 2025 at 11:00 AM (UTC-5)
Edited by
Tom Wood
For many years, abandoned cars beside the highways of North Carolina have been the subject of a mystery.
If you’ve ever been there, chances are that you’ve probably seen it yourself – an old car left on the side of the road with a white cloth hanging in the window.
It’s a strange sight, and for a long time, no one really knew what it meant.
Is it some kind of weird trend? A secret signal? Well, there’s finally an answer.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Origin of white cloths in abandoned cars
The white cloth in abandoned car windows has been a familiar sight in North Carolina for years.
In fact, since 2005, people have been using this simple item as a way to signal they need help.
But the big question is: where did this practice actually start?
It actually dates back to the 1940s on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Drivers in Pennsylvania began tying a white cloth to their door handles to signal a breakdown.
The idea spread as toll roads and highways grew, with other states like Ohio and West Virginia adopting the same method.
By 1961, it became an official distress signal across the country.
Related
The practice is even recommended by the government
It’s amazing to see how common traditions today have such a rich history behind them – just like the tradition of the white cloth or why the Americans drive on the right and Britons on the left.
With an increase in the reports of abandoned cars over time, the trend became so popular that the North Carolina Museum of History’s TikTok account helped bring attention to the practice.
The North Carolina Driver Handbook now even recommends using a white cloth if your car breaks down.
Of course, in today’s world, most people prefer to use their cell phones to report a breakdown. That said, this quirky tradition still holds its place on North Carolina’s highways.
