to ask if you and/or people you know would have stopped?

[Lesserspottedmama]

My friend was telling me earlier about something that happened to her a few years ago.. she went for a run on a country back road and twisted her ankle.. she was limping along in agony a long way from home and trying to flag down a car. She said 4(!) cars passed her by.. it was the sort of road you had to go really slowly down so it’s not like they could whizz past her. They had to drive past her at 5-10mph ignoring her. She said they were all men aged between 40-60. A 5th car stopped and it was a young man who couldn’t have been much older than 19. He was very kind and dropped her home which was a 5 min drive away.

Would you have stopped if you saw a female runner in running gear limping and trying to flag you down? No judgement, just curious.
I would have, so would my husband, my parents and brother. I believe many of my friends would. I was surprised to hear so many cars passed by without stopping. She said it was about 8am so perhaps they didn’t want to be late for work. I would’ve stopped regardless. I understand some have had past experiences which would make them more reluctant though.

I might not have. Here in Birmingham, to be honest I might assume you were a beggar. But then on a country road I might feel different; I rarely drive outside the city.

Then again, last year I did stop to give assistance to a cyclist who'd had an accident on the ring road in Birmingham. But I wasn't the first responder, there were others around, and the injured person was visibly cut (so not a fakeable injury).

I limp usually its not overally noticable. Other times I'm practically dragging my leg behind me. I have lost count of the number of people who have asked me what I did to my leg. They drove by me and I was limping badly. I always ask why they carried on driving if they saw how badly I was limping. Usually they just didn't think about it.

Yes, I would stop. I know modern life makes people paranoid, but honestly the chances of that being a scam are very, very low! An injured person needs some help. Not a tough call in that situation.

I'd stop if I thought someone was in danger, but if I saw someone limping down a country lane I'd assume it was a scam.

I would have stopped. I have been on the side of the road, bleeding visibly, and been passed by. Not one of them even thought to call to send assistance. Now, knowing how dangerous it could be, I would still have stopped.

I would have stopped but I would have been worried about a scam too.

I did once stop at about 3 am on an unlit country road to pick up a young couple whose car had broken down. They were on their way to the airport - same as me (cabin crew) - they had a plane to catch.

I was much younger and didn’t even think about potential risks.

It depends where. Lewisham, late at night, no. Country lane, yes. As OP describes, yes, provided I wasn't in a massive rush and had the time to take in the situation.

I've given lifts to a hitching trucker and to a couple caught out in a drenching rain storm, so I'm probably a bit of a soft touch, though.

I'd probably stop and asked if she needed me to ring someone but I wouldn't be giving them a lift/letting them.

No. I would have in the olden days. I did. Because I'm a good sort. But not now. I've been changed, by life, sad really.
I would tell my Dh or Ds1 not to now. Because I'd be worried it was a Scam. Or worse still she'd get in, then accuse my son of rape/assaulting her? How awful would that be for my son? Makes me sad that I now think that way.

I ran out of petrol just after dropping my child at nursery - I phoned the manager who agreed to come with a petrol can. I was about 7 months pregnant and as I stood at the side of the road about four cars passed me who had children in so I assume we’re going to nursery.

Not one stopped to ask if I was ok, a bloke in a suit in a Range Rover did though.

I was a bit surprised at that

To be honest, no. In my experience randoms can be trouble. For whatever reason. I’d have felt bad, but I’d likely have driven on. Which I think is really sad, as I’d want someone to stop for me.

My boss is a marathon runner. She keeps £10 in her phone case in case she needs to call a cab.

It depends on the situation really. I would expect a young woman to have a mobile phone and therefore no need to get in a stranger's car.
I would be happy to offer help in the way of ringing someone for them, but not offering a lift to an adult as a lone woman in a car myself. I would always help someone elderly or a child.
That said, my mum was out dogwalking last year, tripped and fell forwards, breaking her nose. She was very disorientated, crying and bleeding on the floor with 2 dogs - very obvious what had happened. She did have a phone with her but couldn't see properly to use it due to her state. I was disappointed to hear several cars had slowed down to have a good gawp at her, but nobody had offered any help of any sort to an elderly bleeding lady on the ground.

No because I have read about scams like this but also if I was your friend I would t have flagged random
Cars down.

I'm amazed at how many people would call the police for an injured person rather than an ambulance! If they are upright and in no obvious danger the police would be very unlikely to attend.

I don't know - I might worry it's a scam where you stop and then people jump out and steal your car

I’m a runner so if I had seen a fellow runner in distress I might have pulled over to check they were ok however on a country road in the dark I’m not so sure.

This happened to me years ago. Five miles from home I slipped on leaves and hurt my back. Had to limp home in the freezing cold. Country lanes, lots of cars passed me, I’d fashioned a tree branch into a sort of crutch to walk with. Clearly in pain and struggling.
I didn’t actively flag anyone down though as I was rather sweaty and smelly having run 5 miles before the accident.
No Good Samaritan stopped to check I was ok though.

Unless they were bleeding or screaming in pain then no, no way.

At one time I might have but not anymore. I’ve been approached too many times in London by people needing assistance with fake wounds on their arms needing money for a taxi to the hospital. It becomes tiresome. I even had the same man twice in a week!

Another time I was sitting at the traffic lights feeling happy as it was a lovely sunny morning and a woman crossing caught my eye and I smiled. Big mistake. She came scooting over and wanted money as she’d had a call that her boy was in hospital and she needed to get there urgently. I said no and off she fucked in the opposite direction from the station.

I’ve become very cynical about randoms these days. Even if it’s not a scam they came be entitled and a pain in the arse.

Norwester wrote: An injured person needs some help. Not a tough call in that situation.

draughtycatflap wrote: I’ve been approached too many times in London by people needing assistance with fake wounds on their arms needing money for a taxi to the hospital. It becomes tiresome. I even had the same man twice in a week!

My record for approaches was x9 in a walk from Holborn Station to my destination - a

I would have stopped, although her story is inconsistent, a 5 minute drive is not 'a long way from home'

I think when asking questions like this, people would like to think they'd do it, so say they will stop but the reality can be quite different.

I can't say if I'd stop. I usually make the decision at the time depending on a number of factors.

No, I wouldn't. Not if it was an adult who looked fully aware, was up and walking, within relatively easy distance of civilisation, as a PP said. I'd be too worried that it was bait for a trap or a scam.