Would you stop to help some one after dark?

United States
October 17, 2007 6:34am CST
Tonight on my way home from work, I noticed a vehicle on the side of the road, and some one with a flashlight flagging for help. At first, I drove past the vehicle, then I got a feeling that I needed to go check on whomever was there, the vehicle was on the opposite side of the road, so I turned around. It happened to be one of my co-workers that had helped me at work tonight. It was a weird feeling when I realized who it was. I felt like I had repaid a debt. It was also weird that I felt a need to go back and check on the vehicle and whomever might be there. Normally, I do not stop for any one at night, and I do not pick up hitch hikers. So my own reaction really surprised me. What would you do? Happy posting..
16 responses
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
17 Oct 07
It can be a scary experience trying to help someone in a dark place or one where the neighborhood is quiet without traffic. Your helpfulness can have tragic consequences if the person needing help is up to no good or has set up a trap to get others into trouble. Luckily for you, the person needing help turned out to be someone familiar to you. In dark places like this, I will thread with caution, keep my distance and call for assistance for the one needing help instead of engaging him/her. I'd rather be cautious in such circumstances than be sorry.
1 person likes this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
22 Oct 07
Thanks for yr vote. I didn't log into myLot over the weekend to thank you. You're a gutsy and helpful lady to offer help to others, not the crazy ol' lady your name says you are...LOL. Still, be careful when helping, will you?
• United States
20 Oct 07
lexus54, Nicely stated. I agree with you totally. Always be safe.
• United States
18 Oct 07
yes i sure would cause ya never know when it might be ya. i would make sure my doors are locked and put the window down just enough to ask if i can call someone for them first just to be safe
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
Hi cajun, I agree with you about possibly being the one stranded and needing help. But I also like your approach to someone that is stranded, that you want to help. Always be safe and take care.
• India
18 Oct 07
No not at all i know its good to help at any time but security is also an issue. Its better to be safe then risk it as today many lives depend upon each other so I wont rsik it at any cost.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
pbarjatiya, Thanks for your response, and I understand where you are coming from. Now a days who really feels safe anywhere?
@MatsuJun (68)
• Italy
17 Oct 07
I don't think I'll do it if it was dark...Well I don't have a car so i don't know, but i would have a strange feeling..like being scared of who could it be...
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
matsuJun, It is pretty scary stopping to help someone in the dark. But you don't have to if you are not comfortable. You can call the authorities for them, if you have a cell phone with you. Let the police take care of them. It is important to stay safe, even when trying to help others.
@meanangel (167)
• United States
17 Oct 07
I will not get out of the car or let someone in but I will stop and call for help if the person needs it. I don't trust even people I know because to many people get killed by someone they trust. Helping is always good but be safe about it.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
meanangel Nice response, and I agree with you.
18 Oct 07
It depens if it was a female naturally if it was a female you stop because there alot less threatening, well maybe not in this era butin the past I would have stopped after dark. You never know the person could be an angel your helping.
• United States
20 Oct 07
murdocolips, Are females the weaker ones? Now a days a female will probably kick your butt. LOL But I understand what you are saying. A female alone, stranded at night, would probably appreciate your help, and hopefully be thankful. LOL Be safe.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
17 Oct 07
Oh this is a easy one for me.LOL If I didnt know the person that was stranded no I would not stop to help. Not in our world today. There are too many terrible things happening out there. You must always be careful and look out for yourself.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
Terryz, I agree with you on that reply. Be safe.
@lucky_witch (2707)
• Philippines
17 Oct 07
I dont know... to be honest nowadays its really hard to know if you can trust people... Just like in the case of my friend. He was driving home when he saw a mother and a child in the middle of the dark strrt. They just say that they live nearby and that her son need to be brought to the hospital. sadly, those were syndicate and he was been hold up.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
lucky_witch, That just goes to show why I will not stop to pick up anyone if I am alone. You just never know who you are letting into your vehicle. You may have the best of intentions, but they may not. Stay safe.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
28 Jan 08
Although I don't drive I really wouldn't stop to help anyone at night I'm sorry to say simply b/c there are two many maniac's and fruitloops out there. Maybe if I was a man I'd feel different but I would never encourage anyone, man or woman, to stop unless they knew the person. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
17 Oct 07
well if they seem like normal people and they have kids i would probaply help but if i am not sure i will call for help for them on my phone and wait till the help came for them.now a days you have to be so caustious and you never know it could be the kindest person that you stop for but end up being a murder or something.pattie
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
3lilangels thanks for responding. You're right, you just never know what situation you could be getting into. Take care.
• India
17 Oct 07
thats a wonderful thing you said and i will follow what is so correctly done by you. nice of you, GOD BLESS. apple.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
apple, thanks for responding. I think it is important to try to help someone in trouble like that if possible and to be safe while doing it. Take care.
• China
17 Oct 07
in china,more and more people don't help others ever at daytime.because we can't trust any strangers.a"pregnant woman"maybe in fact a thief,and if you send an old lady who silpde up to hospital,she may say that you knockde her down.that's all real things that happened,and now happending.what a pity!
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
Hi mooncake, That is really sad. Remember to be safe at all times, you must take care of yourself under those circumstances.
17 Oct 07
that depends , if i was alone, maybe i wouldnot go to help them,if they really need help,i would call the police man or ask some other people,
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
dubuxifeng, That works for me. You are helping in your own way and staying safe. Take care.
@DarkAng3L (106)
• Romania
17 Oct 07
It depends. If I'm alone I'll probably won't stop. If I'm with someone... sure :)
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 07
Better to be safe than sorry. Don't blame you a bit. Stay safe.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
22 Oct 07
Yes, I would stop. I would try and check things out safely but where I live it's expectwed to help people out on the roadside. It can be a long time between other cars. On my first trip out here to look over my house before I bought it, I broke down. Everyone who drove past stopped to see if I was ok. Of course, the other side of this is that I try not to travel at night as there's always the danger of hitting a roo or some other wildlife. If I lived in the city, I don't think I'd stop. Too many dangerous weirdos are around. How strange that the person you went back to was a co-worker who had helped you earlier. Is that Karma?
17 Oct 07
that depends , if i was alone, maybe i wouldnot go to help them,if they really need help,i would call the police man or ask some other people.