Drivers may take their vehicle for granted and partake in the seemingly harmless act of storing loose items in their car’s cabin. It’s easy to get caught in the moment and throw your backpack, water bottle, or laptop in the cabin of your vehicle and go on about your day. However, many drivers don’t consider the repercussions of leaving these items in their car. Loose items can be a safety hazard in the event of an accident, reduce a vehicle’s MPG, and leave the vehicle open to theft. Drivers should think twice before they use their car for storage. Here’s why drivers should think twice before leaving loose objects in their car.
Loose Items Become Projectiles in an Accident
The most prominent reason drivers should maintain a clean cabin is to protect themselves in the event of a car accident. Loose items have the potential to function as a projectile during a collision. Past studies have shown that loose items have accounted for over 13,000 injuries in accidents in just one year. If not properly stored in the trunk or cabin, drivers run the risk of being hit by these items, causing a serious injury or even death. Throwing items in the back seat isn’t enough, in the event of an accident they can be ejected forward, putting the driver and any passengers at risk. This is especially dangerous in the case of sharp or heavy objects becoming loose like a laptop or insulated water bottle. Instead of storing these items in the cabin, drivers should store them in their vehicle’s trunk. If that’s not possible, loose objects should be secured in a compartment or fastened down. If you were injured by a loose object in an accident, speak to a car accident lawyer like Miller & Hine to recover compensation.
Reduction in Fuel Economy
In addition to the added safety risk, storing items in your vehicle will reduce its fuel efficiency. Extra weight in your vehicle makes the car work harder under acceleration, bringing down fuel economy. Heavier vehicles have more inertia and more rolling resistance, dragging MPG down. An extra 100 pounds will bring down economy by 2%. Smaller vehicles are more affected by excess weight than larger ones, but any vehicle will see efficiency benefits from reduced weight. On average, drivers will save $0.04-$0.07 per gallon if they remove 100lbs from their car. One hundred pounds sounds like a lot, but weight adds up quickly if many items are being stored.
Risk of Theft
Items left inside the car increases the chances of theft. If items are visible, the vehicle becomes a prime target for thieves. Items of high value should be removed when there are no occupants, especially if the vehicle is parked outside. Would-be thieves are especially on the look-out for objects such as:
- Backpacks
- Laptops
- Cameras
- Jewelry
- Cigarettes
- Cell phones
- Headphones
- Wallets
Car owners should be mindful of what they and their passengers leave visible in the cabin. Ensure car doors are locked and the windows are rolled up. Taking these precautions will significantly reduce the chances of a break-in.
In conclusion, the simple act of leaving loose items in a vehicle’s cabin has hidden dangers that drivers may not be aware of. From improving safety and fuel efficiency to reducing the chances of theft, it’s worth the extra time to keep your vehicle’s interior clean. It’s important to secure loose items in the trunk or fasten them down in the cabin. Removing valuables from view will also reduce the chances of theft. Keeping your car’s interior clean and free of loose objects is a small but important step in ensuring your and your passengers’ safety.
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