Eightball
Member
I don't stop, but then again I'm mechanically inept at most car-related problems.
Stopping to help others on the road
- Thread starter brighamr
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All but inner city (no real excuse not to walk for help there). I've stopped and helped many people over the years, and have had others do the same for me. Wouldn't want it any other way. The day we can't help out another human because of fear will be a sad one. Of course, carrying a 45 helps quell any doubts I may have.
ZeSpectre
Member
I'm far more likely to stop and help than not. If I pull up and a situation seems "iffy" I'll roll down the window enough to say "Hey, I'll call ya a <fill in type of help needed> if you need it" and then move on.
Funny story though (funny now anyway).
When I was a young buck I was leaving work (at a mall) and there was this cutie in a short skirt with the hood up on her car. So I ask her if she needs help and she says the car won't start and she's late to pick up a friend. I lean in to check it out (distracted by her leaning over with LOTS of cleavage) and start checking various wires, belts, battery connection, etc. Meanwhile I'm in heaven 'cause this hot girl is leaning right on me while she's looking under the hood too. (Remember I'm about 19 at the time and not especially worldly).
Finally I find a wire that has popped off (high tension lead to the coil). I snap it on and tell her to give it a try. She jumps in the car and it starts so I close the hood. She thanks me profusely and says she's really late so she has to go and she pulls away.
So I'm proud of myself for rescuing the "damsel in distress" until I get back to my own car and sit down and .....HOLY COW, WHERE'S MY WALLET???
Yup, she picked my pocket while I was helping her fix her "broken" car.
When I reported it the police told me I was her 7'th victim <sigh>.
Funny thing though, I'm still more likely to stop and help someone than not.
Funny story though (funny now anyway).
When I was a young buck I was leaving work (at a mall) and there was this cutie in a short skirt with the hood up on her car. So I ask her if she needs help and she says the car won't start and she's late to pick up a friend. I lean in to check it out (distracted by her leaning over with LOTS of cleavage) and start checking various wires, belts, battery connection, etc. Meanwhile I'm in heaven 'cause this hot girl is leaning right on me while she's looking under the hood too. (Remember I'm about 19 at the time and not especially worldly).
Finally I find a wire that has popped off (high tension lead to the coil). I snap it on and tell her to give it a try. She jumps in the car and it starts so I close the hood. She thanks me profusely and says she's really late so she has to go and she pulls away.
So I'm proud of myself for rescuing the "damsel in distress" until I get back to my own car and sit down and .....HOLY COW, WHERE'S MY WALLET???
Yup, she picked my pocket while I was helping her fix her "broken" car.
When I reported it the police told me I was her 7'th victim <sigh>.
Funny thing though, I'm still more likely to stop and help someone than not.
cpttango30
Member
I hate to say it but I never stop to help anyone. You never know what might happen.
Stop to help a nice lady along side the road. 30 minutes later arrested for sexual assult. Why you did not ackowladge her advancements towards you.
Stop and help guy along side road get shot in the back for your credit cards and $35 in cash you have in your wallet.
Sorry but helping people is not worth my life.
I hate to say this but that is the way I feel.
Stop to help a nice lady along side the road. 30 minutes later arrested for sexual assult. Why you did not ackowladge her advancements towards you.
Stop and help guy along side road get shot in the back for your credit cards and $35 in cash you have in your wallet.
Sorry but helping people is not worth my life.
I hate to say this but that is the way I feel.
41magsnub
Member
I help folks when I'm in the mountains where there may not be anybody else for a really long time. In this situation I'm almost always armed and not alone. In town I do not, I figure they have a cell phone or are in walking distance of a pay phone to call a wrecker.
Trisha
Member
Up here, you stop and offer to relay a message, if nothing else. Cell coverage is spotty. I stop only if there is clear sign of medical, or mechanical issue. That means something more than just off to the side of the road, etc.
In the city? Ha! There's loads of cell coverage and emergency services for just about anything are at most, likely only minutes away. I wouldn't know the neighborhood, so I'd be very disadvantaged.
I'd probably take a picture of the vehicle and another of the license plate, go to a safer location and call it in. I'd pause just long enough to do that, rather than stop - and yes, I keep a digital camera with that low-light capability in the truck for situations just like that. Fire off a flash? Never.
In the city? Ha! There's loads of cell coverage and emergency services for just about anything are at most, likely only minutes away. I wouldn't know the neighborhood, so I'd be very disadvantaged.
I'd probably take a picture of the vehicle and another of the license plate, go to a safer location and call it in. I'd pause just long enough to do that, rather than stop - and yes, I keep a digital camera with that low-light capability in the truck for situations just like that. Fire off a flash? Never.
I guess I'm pretty inconsistent. I've stopped for a lot of people and I've driven right by a lot of people. If I can see that the person is asking for help, I'll almost certainly stop unless I hear the warning bells.
I've been rescued before when I really needed it, so I have a hard time making it a rule to not stop.
I've been rescued before when I really needed it, so I have a hard time making it a rule to not stop.
FourNineFoxtrot
Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2007
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- 361
I don't stop.
I don't carry tools, and I know jack about fixing a car. The only way I'm stopping is if something visible and unmistakable has happened. Meaning basically a car accident, people hurt, no emergency response yet. I'd stop for that. Not much else.
If I could go armed, I could afford to be more charitable... but the fact is that the risk is just too high. Physical harm is only one worry. Have to worry about con artists, jackers, mistaken intent, and good old fashioned psychopaths. Good Samaritanism is generally a good way to get hurt, killed, or otherwise screwed over. Not to say that it's not worthwhile under some circumstances, but those circumstances have to be pretty pronounced before I'm going to do anything.
I don't carry tools, and I know jack about fixing a car. The only way I'm stopping is if something visible and unmistakable has happened. Meaning basically a car accident, people hurt, no emergency response yet. I'd stop for that. Not much else.
If I could go armed, I could afford to be more charitable... but the fact is that the risk is just too high. Physical harm is only one worry. Have to worry about con artists, jackers, mistaken intent, and good old fashioned psychopaths. Good Samaritanism is generally a good way to get hurt, killed, or otherwise screwed over. Not to say that it's not worthwhile under some circumstances, but those circumstances have to be pretty pronounced before I'm going to do anything.
doc2rn
Member
If I am armed and it is a woman in need I follow my dad's rule of the road "You stop and help a lady boy."
If it is a guy and he looks like he has it under control, fixing flat whatever I wont stop. I have stopped once for a frantic guy, turned out I was delivering a baby on the side of the road, good thing I am an EMT. Another time I had to fix up a kid that got to close to a buck he shot but did not kill. Patched him up and drove him to the hospital.
I am not a AAA kinda guy, but I can hold my own. When I am in the car I am always armed.
If it is a guy and he looks like he has it under control, fixing flat whatever I wont stop. I have stopped once for a frantic guy, turned out I was delivering a baby on the side of the road, good thing I am an EMT. Another time I had to fix up a kid that got to close to a buck he shot but did not kill. Patched him up and drove him to the hospital.
I am not a AAA kinda guy, but I can hold my own. When I am in the car I am always armed.
We don't have the option of traveling "armed" in IL. At least not properly armed. That said, I would stop in most situations if I thought I could be of assistance. I can jump a car, assist in changing a tire, or make a gasoline run. In urban locations where other help is nearby or a phone is easy to reach I'll probably cruise by, or slow down long enough to speak through a window. It's the extra cover provided by urban locations that scares me. Who knows what kind of setup could be in store for a good Samaritan.
It's sad that good people place themselves at risk to help others but that's the price of putting yourself out. If it was easy and harmless more people would do help, and that's what makes YOU a better person for navigating the potential dangers or reaching beyond stereotypes to assist.
Recently my youngest brother experienced a breakdown during his first trip to Chicago. His simple mechanical failure became a lesson on the lazy, selfish, profiteering citizens in downtown Chicago. Most people ignored the problem, some refused to help in the simple tasks being asked (push a broken car off the road, make a call on their cell phone, etc.) and some people demanded money for mundane requests. They got their money and never returned.
It's sad that good people place themselves at risk to help others but that's the price of putting yourself out. If it was easy and harmless more people would do help, and that's what makes YOU a better person for navigating the potential dangers or reaching beyond stereotypes to assist.
Recently my youngest brother experienced a breakdown during his first trip to Chicago. His simple mechanical failure became a lesson on the lazy, selfish, profiteering citizens in downtown Chicago. Most people ignored the problem, some refused to help in the simple tasks being asked (push a broken car off the road, make a call on their cell phone, etc.) and some people demanded money for mundane requests. They got their money and never returned.
I voted for the first and last choices.
Pretty interesting I find that a majority of the people here also voted the same way.
Inner city? Nah, you jump out of your car with the intention to help, you might end up getting jumped. There has been plenty of stories about traps and fake stops in the "hood".
The best way to go through a "hood" safely is with the doors LOCKED, ALL OF THEM, AND WINDOWS LOCKED ALSO. Don't stop unless it is a red light or detour or law enforcement/road workers with flags. And don't think "it'll just take a minute for me to go into that store and buy a couple of sodas and a bag of chips". Once you get out of that neighborhood and pass through a more decent place, you can browse all the stores you want.
Pretty interesting I find that a majority of the people here also voted the same way.
Inner city? Nah, you jump out of your car with the intention to help, you might end up getting jumped. There has been plenty of stories about traps and fake stops in the "hood".
The best way to go through a "hood" safely is with the doors LOCKED, ALL OF THEM, AND WINDOWS LOCKED ALSO. Don't stop unless it is a red light or detour or law enforcement/road workers with flags. And don't think "it'll just take a minute for me to go into that store and buy a couple of sodas and a bag of chips". Once you get out of that neighborhood and pass through a more decent place, you can browse all the stores you want.
Chuck Dye
Member
As a professional truck driver, on the job stops are limited to clear and present danger (I have spent three fire extinguishers to good effect, provided the presence of a witness and a 911 call for one domestic violence situation, also to good effect, at least temporarily.)
In the personal car, clear and present danger is a gimme (1 fire extinguisher,) otherwise it depends on my read of the situation and the people.
It is something of a turn off to pull over to lend a hand only to discover that the buxom babe is a hooker trying a new idea in marketing...
In the personal car, clear and present danger is a gimme (1 fire extinguisher,) otherwise it depends on my read of the situation and the people.
It is something of a turn off to pull over to lend a hand only to discover that the buxom babe is a hooker trying a new idea in marketing...
Valkman
Member
Out here in Pahrump, no problem. In Vegas, highly unlikely unless I can see it's female and or kids and they need help. There I fugure they have a cell phone and can call someone. I don't need to find it's a gangbanger initiation and he needs to kill someone to get "in".
I live in a rural area therefore I will stop for folks that in a metropolitan area I would not. We have sort of unspoken rules which involve who/what from looks of the people or situation stopped to weather and will a cell phone work here or are we in a dead area.
I think the last one was we helped the local female sheriff deputy change a tire, it was in a dirty environment, we were in dirty clothes from some work on a ranch, she of course had a nice clean uniform on, we felt safe. grin
I think the last one was we helped the local female sheriff deputy change a tire, it was in a dirty environment, we were in dirty clothes from some work on a ranch, she of course had a nice clean uniform on, we felt safe. grin
mgregg85
Member
I stop but I'm careful as I can be, usually just stop and roll down the window and offer to let them make a call on the cell if they need to.
10-Ring
Member
I've been living by the addage "no good deed goes unpunished" but I still stop to help people at the side of the road -- I hate thinking society has gotten to that point where I can't help out if I have the means (at the least, a 911 call on my cell phone)
Triphammer
Member
A decade or so ago, I carried an assortment of "get out of trouble" items. Tools, water, MREs, extra jacks a couple of spares. I was usually on my way to the desert or mountains to hike, explore or prospect & usually had my sons along. I ALWAYS stopped, because I knew I could do something & I was teaching the next gen.
Anymore, I'll pull up and ask if they need to make a call. I won't leave anybody stranded But I don't carry all the items & won't be much help on scene.
Anymore, I'll pull up and ask if they need to make a call. I won't leave anybody stranded But I don't carry all the items & won't be much help on scene.
packnrat
Member
you should have had family stoped and truck/ trailer on side of narrow rd.
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Ohio Gun Guy
Member
I was helping an rustic urbanite, He said he was out of gas. I carried a gas can, (I had an s-10 and the gas gauge was not trust worthy) After offering the gas, he now needed someone to look at his car, seem he wasnt so sure it was out of gas. Reluctantly, I started off toward the car. A few feet away from my truck I realized this was BAD. Told Him I needed a flashlight, stuffed the gas can at him, ran back to the truck and took off. I still help SOME people. What I do now is hand the cell phone out of the car to let them make a call, if they dont have one. Worst cast I am out a cell phone (Work is out a cell phone).
evan price
Member
I really didn't understand the criteria of the poll so I ignored it.
I carry a tow strap in my trucks. If somebody is stuck in a snow drift in winter, I'll stop and help them (unless it's obvious that they got there due to their own gross negligence, like trying to drive 70 mph on a snow-ice covered interstate.)
I've pulled out quite a few people who did not know what the 4x4 setting on the dash meant on their SUV.
We get ice storms sometimes, the most recent one about 2 months ago the Interstate is a sheet of ice, and a guy in a Nissan is ahead of me, we're doing about 25 mph, when some idiot in a Trailblazer blows past at 50 mph, cuts in the lane in front of the Nissan, almost loses control, and manages to get out of the skid. The Nissan driver swerves out of the way, loses it, and head ons the guardrail. Stopped to help the guy, got him back on the road to the next exit by pulling his bumper out of the wheel.
Poetic justice: the Trailblazer was upside down in the ditch at the base of the next exit ramp. I did not stop to help.
Just a week ago I was barreling down the Interstate at 75 mph southbound and on the northbound shoulder I see a beat-up Buick LeSabre with a blown out right front tire along the guardrail by an overpass. Standing on the shoulder were an elderly woman, a middle-aged woman on crutches and a 8-10 year old girl.
I was running late for an appointment.
However I pulled a U-ey through the median, pulled up behind them and asked if they needed anything.
Turns out the middle aged lady on crutches was the mom of the girl, and the old lady was her mother in law, and they were coming back from shopping. Her husband drove a wrecker for the big local towing company and he was on his way to get them, so they didn't need any help.
She did say that I was the first person to stop for 20 minutes they had sat there, except for one OSHP trooper. She thanked me and I went on my way.
So: Will I stop to help? Only if there is obvious need. A car sitting with hazards on could be anything. If it is a nice day and no other issues, probably not. That's what AAA and cell phones are for, and the Highway Patrol can earn the money they get from issueing speeding citations by helping out.
I carry a tow strap in my trucks. If somebody is stuck in a snow drift in winter, I'll stop and help them (unless it's obvious that they got there due to their own gross negligence, like trying to drive 70 mph on a snow-ice covered interstate.)
I've pulled out quite a few people who did not know what the 4x4 setting on the dash meant on their SUV.
We get ice storms sometimes, the most recent one about 2 months ago the Interstate is a sheet of ice, and a guy in a Nissan is ahead of me, we're doing about 25 mph, when some idiot in a Trailblazer blows past at 50 mph, cuts in the lane in front of the Nissan, almost loses control, and manages to get out of the skid. The Nissan driver swerves out of the way, loses it, and head ons the guardrail. Stopped to help the guy, got him back on the road to the next exit by pulling his bumper out of the wheel.
Poetic justice: the Trailblazer was upside down in the ditch at the base of the next exit ramp. I did not stop to help.
Just a week ago I was barreling down the Interstate at 75 mph southbound and on the northbound shoulder I see a beat-up Buick LeSabre with a blown out right front tire along the guardrail by an overpass. Standing on the shoulder were an elderly woman, a middle-aged woman on crutches and a 8-10 year old girl.
I was running late for an appointment.
However I pulled a U-ey through the median, pulled up behind them and asked if they needed anything.
Turns out the middle aged lady on crutches was the mom of the girl, and the old lady was her mother in law, and they were coming back from shopping. Her husband drove a wrecker for the big local towing company and he was on his way to get them, so they didn't need any help.
She did say that I was the first person to stop for 20 minutes they had sat there, except for one OSHP trooper. She thanked me and I went on my way.
So: Will I stop to help? Only if there is obvious need. A car sitting with hazards on could be anything. If it is a nice day and no other issues, probably not. That's what AAA and cell phones are for, and the Highway Patrol can earn the money they get from issueing speeding citations by helping out.
sargenv
Member
In most cases I don't pick up hitchikers or do anything to compromise my safety. On occasion I've stopped and checked on people to see if they were ok. One time I was headed home from somewhere and I saw a guy on the side of the freeway with a broken down M/C. As I passed by he made like a cell phone... so I stopped and rolled backwards down the emergency lane and let him use my cell phone.. I've occasionally stopped to see if I could help on occasions where other people have stopped also. In most cases though I will take a look at the situation and stop if I can or call it in to the highway patrol so they can give a hand. It's just too urban around here and things are relatively close.. On most of the major highways around here they have call boxes on the sides of most commute roads every mile or so and cell coverage is pretty good in all but the most isolated valleys.
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