You’ve seen the white towel on the mirror, too: But you still have no idea what it means.

Believe it or not, there is much more to the white towel than just the symbolism associated with author Douglas Adams. In fact, if you’ve ever traveled around the United States, you’ve probably noticed cars that have a white cloth hanging out the window, mirror, or side, whether it’s a towel, a shirt, or even a plastic bag. And while it may remind you of Towel Day, the truth is much more prosaic.

No, it really isn’t any celebration of literary works, but an informal but widely recognized signal that American drivers use to alert others to specific emergency situations.

What exactly is it?

What is the purpose of the white cloth on the car

This tradition originated in the United States and has become particularly popular in North Carolina. The main reason why people there hang a white piece of cloth on their car is quite simple – to signal a technical problem.

The idea is to make it sufficiently clear to other road users that the marked car is temporarily out of service. It also alerts the police or highway patrol that the owner has not abandoned the car for good, but has probably gone to get help or is already waiting for help somewhere nearby. This also makes it less likely that the vehicle will be towed away immediately.

So it’s good to remember that if the towel is already visibly tied up, it means the owner knows about the problem and is probably already dealing with it.

Nevertheless, this does not mean that the car can remain on the roadside unrestricted. The length of time it can be left parked depends on the specific rules of the states in question. In the US, the general rule is that if a car is already in danger of being towed, orange stickers stuck on the windshield alert the owner.

Why white?

The white colour was not chosen by accident – it is easily visible from a distance and is therefore a practical solution for increasing visibility. For example, the North Carolina Driver’s Manual officially recommends tying a white cloth to the radio antenna or left door handle and raising the hood in case of a malfunction. This is to announce to the surroundings that the vehicle either needs help or at least is not abandoned.

Of course, the best and officially recognized way to indicate a malfunction is the warning triangle. However, in the USA, its necessity in mandatory equipment is not as widespread as in Europe. As a rule, this obligation applies mainly to commercial vehicles and trucks, while for passenger cars the rules vary from state to state.

It’s no wonder, then, that an improvised alternative has caught on among drivers – a simple piece of white cloth that can serve quickly and reliably.

Practical tips tend to be similar across states: raise the hood to make the car more noticeable, turn on your hazard lights, and stay in a safe place out of the lane if possible. Of course, the ideal is to contact the Highway Patrol immediately and report the exact details of the vehicle and location.

Times change, but it’s good to keep an eye on

However, times are changing. While in the past it was quite common to see white towels on broken down cars, today it is rather rare. This is because most drivers have mobile phones and can call a towing service, insurance company or roadside assistance immediately. So while modern technology is gradually pushing the traditional signal into the background, it still works – so if you find yourself in an emergency, a simple piece of cloth can save you the inconvenience.

One thing to keep in mind, however: motorway and roadside verges are not designed for long-term parking. They are reserved for emergencies, and if you leave your vehicle there for too long, you run the risk of being towed away. So a white towel, a T-shirt or even a simple plastic bag is not just an incidental detail, but a sign that carries weight, especially in the USA – both for other drivers and for the important road forces.

So the next time you see a car on the side of the road with a white cloth on the rear-view mirror on a road in the US, you’ll know exactly what it means. It’s not a decoration or a special local custom, but it’s a simple message that the car is not working, the owner knows about it and is already addressing it. A simple signal that can save a lot of trouble.