Survey: Junk in Trunk Could Leave Drivers Stranded

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Are you driving around with too much junk in your trunk? A recent survey found only nine percent of drivers keep key emergency supplies in their vehicle.

“I have blanket, jumper cables, first aid kit, flashlight, spare tire and extra tools for along the way,” motorist John Hamil said.

Hamil is ready for any kind of emergency. Other drivers on the roads may not be as prepared because they have junk in their trunk.

“Clothes, baggage, trash, goodies all over the floor. They had quite a mess in their cars,” State Farm agent Terin Smith said.

A recent State Farm survey found more than 60% of drivers had junk in their car. Smith says only one in ten drivers keep necessary emergency supplies in their vehicles.

“people are not as prepared as they think the are in case an emergency hits,” Smith said. “I always say its not if something [is] going to happen, its when its going to happen.”

And when it does happen, you will want to be ready. Smith says you should swap out the junk for jumper cables, a spare tire, a flashlight, a first aid kit, water, and blankets. Drivers should also check their equipment at least twice a year to make sure it is in working order.

“We need to start putting things in our cars that actually will help us and making sure that things are ready in case you need it,” Smith said.

Because anything can happen on the roadways.

“Just if I ever break down,” Hamil said. “You never know if its going to happen and when you’re going to need it.”

Not all drivers hit the roads without some kind of emergency supplies. The survey found 99% of drivers had at least one emergency item in their car, like a spare tire or jumper cables.