Should I stop to help?

[Art_Vandelay]

So, on my way to work last night, I was approached at an intersection by a man motioning me to roll down my window. I shake my head no, and proceed to drive onward. Now, call me paranoid, but I did not see any signs of active bleeding or acute distress, and well, it was dark. I have watched too many crime shows. Anyway, as a healthcare provider, I do feel obligated to stop and help if someone were in obvious acute distress, but some stranger approaching my car? I didn't just fall off the turnip truck, as the saying goes.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Oh heck no! Just get on your phone and call 911 and let the cops deal with it.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

That may work for you, since you have a cousin who is a cop. For those of us without relatives in law enforcement, not pulling over makes you Yet Another Police Brutality Statistic.

Actually cops tell you to do this.

What you do is call 911 and explain you have a police car behind you, and don't feel comfortable stopping until it's a lit area. The operator calls the cop car to explain, and they verify to you that is indeed a cop car and you can pull safely over when you are able.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

to the OP, absolutely not.

[JSlovex2]

i don't know that i'd call the cops. i would hate if someone called the cops just bc my tire was flat and i happened to half a pound of weed in the car. LOL. not that i would...but seriously, i don't think "calling the cops" is always the answer.

if it were ME, i probably would've cracked my window, kept a distance, and yelled out to the person. i'm a sucker for people on the side of the road. before i had kids i was known for picking people up and giving them rides which people thought i was crazy for doing, but the only thing that ever happened is that i helped someone who was grateful. i definitely don't think you should feel bad about not stopping whatever the reason was. everyone has their own comfort level. you weren't comfortable so that's all that matters. i think a lot of information isn't known here. was there a broken down car nearby? was anyone with him? what kind of area do you live in? etc, etc. none of which matters if YOU didn't feel comfortable, but if you're asking what any of us might have done...those factors would play a role in my mind.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

i don't know that i'd call the cops. i would hate if someone called the cops just bc my tire was flat and i happened to half a pound of weed in the car. LOL. not that i would...but seriously, i don't think "calling the cops" is always the answer.

if it were ME, i probably would've cracked my window, kept a distance, and yelled out to the person. i'm a sucker for people on the side of the road. before i had kids i was known for picking people up and giving them rides which people thought i was crazy for doing, but the only thing that ever happened is that i helped someone who was grateful. i definitely don't think you should feel bad about not stopping whatever the reason was. everyone has their own comfort level. you weren't comfortable so that's all that matters. i think a lot of information isn't known here. was there a broken down car nearby? was anyone with him? what kind of area do you live in? etc, etc. none of which matters if YOU didn't feel comfortable, but if you're asking what any of us might have done...those factors would play a role in my mind.

But if this person is flagging you down, then they want 'help'. I will give it to them in the form of a 911 call.

Now if it is broad daylight and a busy road and it's a mom with kids, (looks safe) then I would stop and help.

cracking the window might get a gun in your face.

[rnccf2007, BSN, RN]

I would not have stopped to help, but I would have dialed 911. I used to be trusting, but unfortunately, the world seems to have changed and there are more people feeding off human kindness to commit crimes. I myself, have actually stopped to help people in obvious distress (i.e. an elderly man drops in the intersection in front of my car in the middle of the night, appears to be seizing, and has blood running from his head and ear). That was obvious.

[AmericanRN]

No way! It's not like you witnessed a car accident. You saw a strange man walking to your car and motioning for you to get out or open the window. That's not a situation where you are obligated to go anything except get out of there! If you are concerned they really need help, call 911 for the person, but don't risk your safety.

I'm not even sure I would stop at a car accident if it was dark, I was alone and in a rough area of town. You can't help anyone if you aren't safe yourself.

As an addendum don't stop in good areas of town either, call 911 for them too. I grew up in the hood & trust me when I tell ya I've always noticed people in nice areas gets lulled into a false sense of security. If I was a thief or axe murderer I would go to the nice areas because I know people aren't as likely to be on their guard nor do they tend to have finely honed street smarts. Besides nice neighborhoods own better quality cars, stereos, jewelry etc who better to mug then an oblivious person?

Just my