COMBINED TRACTION MAT, SHOVEL AND UTILITY DEVICE

A combined traction mat, shovel and utility device which is adapted to be stored inside a vehicle and to be used in a variety of vehicle related emergency situations. The device has a substantially flat and elongated body. The body is divided into a first gripping section located at the rearward end of the body, a second gripping section located at the frontal end of the body and an intermediate section located between the first gripping section and the second gripping section. A corrugated pattern is formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the first and second gripping sections. A central open-top channel extends longitudinally accros the body of the device. A handle is formed in the first gripping section by an aperture extending therethrough. The intermediate section forms a relatively elongated and short shaft which can also be used as a handle. The second gripping section can be ergonomically used as a shovel scoop by a user holding on to the handle formed in the first gripping section with one hand and holding on to the intermediate section with the other hand. The device can also be used as a standard traction mat since both the first and second gripping sections have corrugated surfaces. The device can also be used as an emergency warning sign for warning uncoming vehicles of the presence of a disabled vehicle. The device used as an emergency warning sign can either be implanted into a volume of loose material or a pair of devices can be used with one device acting as a supporting base for the other. The corrugated patterns on both surfaces are complementary, minimizing the storage space for a pair of devices.