Decorative CD hanging

[David H]

Is there any special reason why so many drivers (especially minicabs) have a CD hanging from their car mirror, some with Arabic inscriptions? They seem to get in the way and though the rainbow effect is quite entertaining for the first 10 seconds putting them in the player instead would seem to be a better option?

[IndieSinger]

Many will have you believe that this is done to avoid getting caught by speed cameras. A lot of people think the CD will reflect back the camera's flash, thus rendering the image to brightly exposed. The jury's still out on whether this is actually the case or not.

[davver]

Rubbish! It is merely for decoration. From my experience of Indian driving, it is customary to hang a figurine from the rear view mirror to ward off bad luck and so prevent accidents. As it is, these figures of Buddha, Ganesh, Shiva etc are often large, or festooned with tassles and so distract the driver, causing accidents. Logic doesn't feature strongly in this lucky charm. As a lot of minicabs drivers are Asian (generalising wildly here), they have probably brought the custom over with them - their version of furry dice. The inscription would be some kind of prayer I expect. I think the jury can come back in on the speed camera question - sounds pretty improbable to say the least.

[thunderider]

its the koran,its the muslims who have them....

[GMC333]

hello, i must agree they are there to reflect speed cameras flash as i work in the road transport ind i can assure you that that is why they are hanging up , i can also assure you that they have no barring on the quality of the picture. your plate will still be read or it will later be verefied from a observation camara later down the road.  

[IndieSinger]

davver - David H was asking specifically why CDs are hung from rear-view mirrors not "figures of Buddha, Genesh, Shiva" etc.

[davver]

Yes. However, there are lots of figurines around too. As for the CD's who hasn't got a free and useless CD in junk mail? I have friends who put them up around their strawberry patches to try to scare away birds (works quite well actually) but the light could also be used ornamentally. Something else that has occurred to me is that Buddhists write prayers on may things such as wheels and flags that, when they are turned or flapped by the wind, are believed to repeat the prayers. Perhaps when an inscribed CD flashes in the light, it repeats the prayer.

[David H]

Maybe we will hear from someone who actually has one- who's driven up West Hendon or Southall Broadway recently...?