Witnessed Incidents of Rental Car Mishandling and the Art of Careless Driving

Introduction

Have you ever witnessed or experienced any instances where people mishandle rental cars? From careful treatment to outright negligence, rental car incidents can range widely. This article delves into a few personal anecdotes and common situations where people's lack of regard for rental vehicles becomes evident.

A Personal Experience on a Road Trip

During a recent road trip from Colorado Springs to Pueblo in a rented Lincoln, my wife and her sister's brother-in-law, referred to as BIL, spilled a large cup of soda in the back seat. Rather than expressing regret or attempting to clean up the mess, he remarked, "So what, it's a rental car!" I responded by pulling into a convenience store, buying several rolls of paper towels, and helping my wife remove the back seat to clean up the spill. BIL simply stood and watched, illustrating the lack of care some people exhibit towards rental vehicles.

Rental Car Incidents in the 1980s

During my extensive travel in the 1980s for business, I consistently treated rental cars as if they were my own, but there was one instance that stands out. In 1981, while working in North Dallas, I took a rental car, either an Omni or Horizon, too aggressively through a section of the road with dips due to heavy rains. I took the dips so fast that the car became airborne on the up section of the dips, resulting in a bumpy ride and unnecessary wear on the suspension.

Common Signs of Rental Car Negligence

Aside from occasional accidents, people sometimes bring back rental cars in less than pristine condition. A pair of panties once found in a car, people returning cars with oil pan damage, or even ruining the engine after ignoring the oil light, are all too common incidents. It's shocking how some individuals can treat seemingly minor issues as if they are of no concern, potentially leading to major damage to the vehicle.

A Business Trip in Texas

In 1968, as an engineer working on a communication project for the Navy, I encountered another unique situation with a rented 1969 Dodge Polara from Hertz in San Diego. While the antenna, which weighed several hundred pounds, failed unexpectedly during vibration testing, I managed to complete the project with ingenuity and a bit of engineering caveat. I removed the trunk lid to access local machine shops and gear cutters, driving the car like a pickup truck on several occasions. I used a convenient strategy to avoid detection by Hertz's personnel, illustrating the creativity required to manage such situations.

Conclusion

Rental cars, whether for a short road trip or extended business travel, require the same level of care as personal vehicles. Situations like these highlight the importance of treating rental vehicles as if they were your own. Whether it's a cup of spilled soda or taking a car too aggressively through muddy roads, incidents of mishandling can often be avoided with a bit of respect and careful driving.