Do you stop to help?

I love to help people. It is very important to me. However, I only weigh about 110 pounds, and today you just can't trust people. The only way I am stopping is if it is a little old lady, or if I recognize the driver! I may stop and ask (from a distance) if you would like me to call for help, but your not getting in the car!

I like to help as much as anyone but I would never stop unless I actually saw an accident myself or there were at least 2 other people in my car, with cellphones. That's purely for security - I'd make sure I stopped a fair distance away and told them that, if I raised a hand and waved, they should call the police immediately. In the past, I've stopped when I've seen an accident - even when alone - because it's obvious they're in distress, but I'm still careful. Never approach too close until sure of what's going on, etc. It's a shame that the world's become too dangerous to be as kind as we'd like.

I always ask if they need help, because for one, I do live away from the big city where shooting someone is the norm, but if someone had bad intentions, I wouldn't get out of the car, but yell out my window. I do this because, yes in today's technology there are cell phones, but guess what??? Sometimes a person is in an area where they don't have the connection and most importantly, my own fear if I break down is: I HAVE NO CELL PHONE!!!!! Not everyone has the money for a phone and to assume one does is STUPID!!! I remember the last time the car broke down and I had my small boy with me..(Ne was probably about 2-3 at the time) And I sat there for a long time and thought, "forget it, it was a nice day and though I was probably 3 miles from home, I'll walk it." Thankfully, just a few minutes after I started walking my daughter's math teacher, whose mother lives up the street from us, drove by and picked us up..You can imagine my daughter's face when she saw her teacher pulling into her driveway.. Anyway, so regardless, I at least ask if I can call someone for the stranded motorist..

The attitude that it ought to teach them a lesson is just stupid. I think the "fear" excuse is stupid to because the odds are it's not going to be a bad person you are stopping to help. But even on the most slight odds people these days will not risk their lives. It's a misconception that everybody owns a cell phone. A cell phone is still a luxury to many people. The case for not stopping to help also might be the time it takes to stop and help. I think sooner or later theirs usually, hopefully always someone who's willing to stop and help. I think I probably didn't stop and help but then it's been along time since I did any driving and when I did drive I being a lone woman with children didn't stop so I guess the "fear" factor and "time" factor came into play with my reasons. I do think it would be good to stop and offer help or to call for help for the people.

Hello BannedHelsing, that kind of strategy is very common for robbery and murder. Here in my country, it is very typical strategy especially in the remote area. We cannot blame people from not stopping and helping these unfortunate motorist who encountered problem with there engine, because it was commonly used by robbers who will get money from you and leaving with your kind, worst case scenario is, they will kill you and leave you.

I stop to help, as I would like to think that - if my car had broken down - someone would stop to help me. It may be different where I live (in regional Australia), but I know the importance of giving assistance. I can certainly understand why some people have reservations - I would definitely not expect a female driver to stop for a couple of men - but I, myself, am quite happy to stop and help. I may be useless, at times, as I have the mechanical skills of an otter; but I can lend them a mobile phone to make a call or give them a lift if they're out of the coverage area.

The authorities advise that we don't stop to help, but to inform someone - maybe a car breakdown service or the police if someone is stranded on the road with a vehicle breakdown. There have been too many instances that one hears about the Good Samaritans have been robbed, injured, after being taken in by the distress play-acting thieves, and in an extreme case killed too while resisting robbery. There have been reports in newspapers about people playacting injury in staged accidents and then robbing the gullible helpers. I'd not stop to help. No offense intended.

If I am driving alone, I would be afraid to stop. As I have heard of many stories from people I know who stopped to help and ended up getting robbed. That, unfortunately, is the trouble nowadays. People would like to help but they aren't sure whether the person is in actual distress or it's really just a con.

When I see people stranded I feel bad and want to stop but there is nothing I can do. I have three kids in my car at all times and I do not have a cell phone. I do not have jumper cables and I have no clue about cars. So there is nothing I can do. But I do want to stop but I usually don't. I know I should because I would like someone to stop if I was stranded.

I always like to help people,if i don't i feel guilt and start wondering if anyone else helped them because they could still be out there.I wouldn't pick up a hitchiker but helping someone with their car is not a scary thing to do especially if it's in broad daylight.

Yes, I try to at least stop by and take a look to see if they need any assistance or anything. Of course most of the time, the situation is rather taken care of most of the time. Then again, I don't travel that much these days but it is something when I see people in a lot of distress, I feel bad. Although I do wonder if the shoe was on the other foot, if people would be so considerate. Of course, I can really sympathize with people who are going to be rather are going to be reluctant. You just never know when it might be a set up for some type of car jacking. There are a lot of desperate people out there that are going to rather try and do something rather desperate. It is rather hard to really determine the difference between those who are needing help and those who putting on some act to lure you in to rob you.

It is always advisable to practice caution at everything. Of course, we are morally obligated to help others who are in dire need, but in our times, sometimes we end up being conned. We should gauge on the situation before we decide to do something or nothing.

My husband and I saw a lot of cars that stopped on the highway for a motor engine problem or flat tired. But if we can't do something to help, we just pass by them. I think that they can solve the problems by themselves and it is not a situation to really give a hand. They could call someone who can bring tools for them and in no time the traffic police officer will be in the scene. It will be a different thing if there are children or a sick woman in the car, if it is a matter of emergency, sure that we will help. But if it is a man or two men dealing with it, honestly we are scared too, maybe it is a bad agenda or something.

i would love to help people but you just cant trust people now a days. its sad that even a young teenager stuck on the side of the road with car trouble you cant even trust. i watch way too many scary and horror movies to know better than to stop and help some stranger. and if i need help id rather not ask a stranger. you never know what kind of intentions people have. i always ask myself when i do help people that i know "would they do this for me?"

YES! But I guess I don't live in the real world..a person in distress, is indeed in need! I live quite rurally, and there are many reasons a motorist could need assistance, which is many miles away! Where I live, if you are a paramedic, you are registered with the Province, and your vehicle is so designated (with a sticker.) The FINE is quite heavy, if you are witnessed circumnavigating any vehicle in distress (e.g. passing it by) as the vehicle may NOT be in distress, the driver may be! AND, you are covered by the "Good Samaritan Act," an insurance that covers you, your vehicle, and protects you for your acts of good deed. I guess it becomes ingrained in you..so to answer...YES, I stop! Cheers!

I would, but it would be scary. It might just be a ploy to harm me or something. I would offer help from the window of my car, but never never have the stranger ride in my car. There was a time when a syndicate was using kids and old men (grandfather types) to lure a girl. The bait would ask for directions first, then will appear scared and will ask you to help them go to the place they asked you for directions. Once you get there, they'll get your stuff, possibly rape and kill you.

It depends on which country i'm at. IF the country is well known for scams, kidnapping and crimes, i would not stop to help because it might be an act to lure potential victims. Other that that, i would be more glad to stop, help anybody who needs help, especially in singapore. IN my own country, i know i'm safe and i'm helping those who really needs it.