ChatterBank0 min ago
Breakdowns!
Years gone by in the job I held, I often used to help stranded motorists, male / female, do you help others that have breakdowns? or do you just pass by thinking the person " May have asked for help on their mobile?
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I think people have become very cautious of stopping for anyone - there have been instances where the broken down person has jumped into your car and driven off, or worse. I remember my BIL saying that he would no longer stop to help a woman broken down, you don't know what you might be getting into :-(
It is entirely dependent on the circumstances.
If someone is quietly sat at the side of the road apparently content then I will assume they are awaiting assistance.
I was driving down a remote country lane very early in the morning when a young male leapt into the road to flag me down, he wanted a jump start.
I did think twice about helping him but drove up the lane turned round and went back to help him and he was very grateful.
As a lone woman traveller I think it is wise to assess the risks before offering assistance.
If someone is quietly sat at the side of the road apparently content then I will assume they are awaiting assistance.
I was driving down a remote country lane very early in the morning when a young male leapt into the road to flag me down, he wanted a jump start.
I did think twice about helping him but drove up the lane turned round and went back to help him and he was very grateful.
As a lone woman traveller I think it is wise to assess the risks before offering assistance.
When I was night Driving Svejk, many many times I have helped people, those days you were safe, One person at night at a Place called Shap UK, snowing like hell had broken down with a Beema, I towed her to a Motorway Phone box, ( By right, not allowed in the UK) contacted her BF on my in-cab phone then contacted the Highway police, I would npot leave her until the police came, just part of the job at that time, it does not cost you anything except time.
Recently in the late evening I saw a lone woman with a flat tyre, she waved me down. She was in a layby so I pulled in to see if I could help. As I got out of my car a chap 'appeared' from the rear of the stranded car. The whole scene looked like a trap so I took off hastily. Glad that I did as the two were arrested by an off-duty policeman a few days later after they tried it on him...
I always used to try and help as I travel with a good set of tools, jump leads, tow rope etc. But helping can take a lot of time up and to be honest I have helped people in the past and have had no thanks whetever so I stop for the older generation only now and being on flexi-time I can sit and natter to them until the breakdown lorry arrives. Stuff the young ones, they have mobile phones and friends - use them !
It's the modern world,you just don't know who you can trust.When I was a lad in the early '60's I hitch hiked all over the country and when I passed my test I would return the favour and pick up hikers.Then you started hearing all the horror stories of set ups etc and people became less trusting now you rarely see hikers,as for people who are broken down a lot would depend on the time and place.
