When Plastic Bags Attack: A Driver’s Guide to Avoiding Trouble on the Road

It always happens when you least expect it. You’re driving down the road, music playing, about to take a sip of your coffee, when that rogue plastic bag comes tumbling across your lane like it has somewhere to be. Most of us shrug and roll right over it. After all, it’s just a bag. What could it possibly do? It's usually harmless and you breathe a sigh of relief as you see it tumbling across five lanes in your review mirror. But very occasionally, that bag sticks and hangs on for dear life.

Why That Plastic Bag in the Road Isn’t Always Harmless

It Can Melt Into a Gooey Mess Your exhaust system gets hot enough to fry an egg. If a bag lands on it, you’re suddenly cooking up melted plastic. Not only does it stink, but it can cling on and be difficult to remove.
It Can Play Wrap-Around With Moving Parts Plastic loves to cling. If it gets caught around your axle, driveshaft, or belts, it can interfere with how those parts move. Sometimes it just flaps around and makes noise. Other times, it can damage seals or protective boots.
It Can Clog Where Air Should Flow Your car needs air to stay cool. If a bag blocks your grille or radiator, the engine may start to overheat. All that from a bag that probably started life carrying a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk.

What To Do If You Run Over a Bag

The greatest advice we receive in life, and that also applicable here, is don't panic. Most of the time, nothing major happens. But if you smell something burning, hear a new noise, or notice your temperature gauge creeping higher than usual, pull over safely and take a look.

If the bag is stuck somewhere you can’t reach, and you don’t feel like crawling under your car in a Publix parking lot, bring it by our shop in Sanford. We’ll handle it.

Avoidance Is Best

If (we know that's a big IF) you can safely steer around a bag in the road, do it. You’ll save yourself the worry (and the smell). If avoiding it isn’t an option, know that we’re here if your car starts acting strange afterward.

The Bottom Line

Driving over a plastic bag doesn’t always mean disaster, but it’s not something to ignore either. At Harrell & Beverly, we’ve been helping Central Florida drivers with everything from major transmission rebuilds to “mystery noises” for more than 65 years. If you think your vehicle picked up a stowaway bag or you’re smelling something suspicious, stop in. We’ll check it out, give you straightforward answers, and get you back on the road without judgment. (We’ve all been there.) If you're in the Sanford, Lake Mary, Debary, Deltona, or Orlando area, give us a call at 407-322-8415 or book an appointment online!