Why Spotting a Plastic Bottle Near Your Tire Is Worth a Second Look

Reports first surfaced in South Africa and were later mentioned in scattered discussions across the United States. The pattern is the same: an empty plastic bottle is positioned near one of the vehicle’s tires, often on the passenger side where drivers are less likely to notice it. When the driver starts to move, the bottle crunches loudly under the tire, creating a startling crackling noise. The instinctive reaction for many is to quickly step out and check what’s wrong. While most situations turn out to be harmless or accidental, the setup is intended to momentarily distract the driver and pull them away from their vehicle.