(Anyone who breaks down in a Tesco car park is automatically covered for recovery by the RAC)
I know where to push the car next time i brake down then lol. :devil:
Would you help a broken down motorist?
- Thread starter fenton_jd
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Would you help a broken down motorist?
I know where to push the car next time i brake down then lol. :devil:
I was once stuck with a flat battery in the Northwest Highlands on the road out to Achiltibuie - the first car to pass stopped to help and gave me a quick tow start (in the days before cats got everywhere). Would have been a long long walk otherwise in torrential rain, and I was extremely grateful for their generosity (all offers of payment were refused).
Outside the big cities, I stop and offer to help someone who's broken down, if I think it's safe to do so.
Outside the big cities, I stop and offer to help someone who's broken down, if I think it's safe to do so.
As long as your just on the carpark, we will cover you lol, one inch outside and your not
Well i never knew that!!
I broke down in my local tesco before and they never helped me?
I have stopped for a couple of people before on the off chance it would be a lift to the nearest garage for fuel, or if i pass a car with hazards on, then see someone down the road walking with a fuel can ill offer them a lift. Other than offering them a lift, theres nothing i would be able to do.
I ALWAYS stop for a biker.
Ive had endless help when ive broken down before now. Normally because i know the engine has just gone bang and ill be sitting there balling my eyes out. Nothing the helper can do except feel sorry for me when i explain its not the first, or second, or third time its happened.
I broke down in my local tesco before and they never helped me?
I have stopped for a couple of people before on the off chance it would be a lift to the nearest garage for fuel, or if i pass a car with hazards on, then see someone down the road walking with a fuel can ill offer them a lift. Other than offering them a lift, theres nothing i would be able to do.
I ALWAYS stop for a biker.
Ive had endless help when ive broken down before now. Normally because i know the engine has just gone bang and ill be sitting there balling my eyes out. Nothing the helper can do except feel sorry for me when i explain its not the first, or second, or third time its happened.
i won't bother helping out again, i once stopped to help out a young girl on the M23 it was in heavy rain and the water had managed to get into the engine, just got her started when the police turned up and they gave ME a ticket for obstructing the hard shoulder!!
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Wow now that's retarded. Obviously didn't get his leg over with the missus the night before!.
reprobate
New member
The wisest thing to do IMHO is to make sure your insurance covers recovery. They will tow to a destination of your choice and might even have a go at diagnosing and (hopefully)repair.
I have not stopped to help anyone for years.It`s not the safest of activities in today`s crime-ridden society.
I have not stopped to help anyone for years.It`s not the safest of activities in today`s crime-ridden society.
Maybe you got the member of staff who couldn't be bothered to get the phone book out. Our stores a big extra and we actually give a toss about our customers, unlike some other stores I know :yuck:
This reminds me of the joke about a homeless guy who tries to tap up a city gent for a couple of quid. The gent dismisses him with a quick,
"Never a lender or borrower be - William Shakespeare"
Couple of days later the city Gent is in his M3 beemer stuck at the side of the road with a flat tyre (Sunday night, chucking down with rain, 10pm, not a soul in sight - usual story), and sees the homeless chap sheltering in a bus stop.
"I say old chap, would you mind giving me a hand, only the suit cost me a few bob?"
The guy in the bus shelter looks, recognises and says,
"F*ck off - D.H. Lawrence."
Karma man Karma.
"Never a lender or borrower be - William Shakespeare"
Couple of days later the city Gent is in his M3 beemer stuck at the side of the road with a flat tyre (Sunday night, chucking down with rain, 10pm, not a soul in sight - usual story), and sees the homeless chap sheltering in a bus stop.
"I say old chap, would you mind giving me a hand, only the suit cost me a few bob?"
The guy in the bus shelter looks, recognises and says,
"F*ck off - D.H. Lawrence."
Karma man Karma.
If it was a simple issue, then I would help an elderly person or lone driver with children. But generally I wouldnt. A crash situation speaks for itself, if your one of the first, then you do what you can.
When I flipped the Corsa on its roof in the snow back in January, on the A1 just north of Morpeth, I was fortunate enough that some one was close by that phoned for police and ambulance. Not one person that came along that road drove on by without at least seeing if there was any help needed, HGVs, families, students all stopped. So I at least owe 1 person help
When I flipped the Corsa on its roof in the snow back in January, on the A1 just north of Morpeth, I was fortunate enough that some one was close by that phoned for police and ambulance. Not one person that came along that road drove on by without at least seeing if there was any help needed, HGVs, families, students all stopped. So I at least owe 1 person help
It would really depend on how the car broke down and where im going at the time........... but i have helped a broken down motorist before......me and my mate had to push her car to get it started again....
I don't know whether I would help someone on the side of the road... probably not as has already been mentioned, its just too risky these days.
However the number of customers we've had in at work that have left and not been able to get their car started is staggering, and I'd always go and help them. To date...
2x bad starter solenoids.... started with hammer on the solenoid or bump start.
1x bad starter solenoid connection... wiggled it about till it engaged.
1x autobox fault (citroen refusing so start because it thought it was in drive... recovery)
1x bad battery not holding enough charge... bump started
1x ECU Fault? Completely dead engine... AA came, and even he didnt have a clue.
However the number of customers we've had in at work that have left and not been able to get their car started is staggering, and I'd always go and help them. To date...
2x bad starter solenoids.... started with hammer on the solenoid or bump start.
1x bad starter solenoid connection... wiggled it about till it engaged.
1x autobox fault (citroen refusing so start because it thought it was in drive... recovery)
1x bad battery not holding enough charge... bump started
1x ECU Fault? Completely dead engine... AA came, and even he didnt have a clue.
Me and my partner helped a old man out not so long ago. He had broken down on a long fast A road and was sitting there blocking traffic. We pasted him and turned around to go back and help.
TBH I'm glad we did as his car wouldn't start so me and my missus pushed him onto the grass verge and then I had to ring his brake down recovery for him as his phone had just died. While we were doing this a policeman went past the other way and turned around to come help/slow traffic down. The poor old chap was very thankful for the help and even the copper said thanks Twas fun =D
TBH I'm glad we did as his car wouldn't start so me and my missus pushed him onto the grass verge and then I had to ring his brake down recovery for him as his phone had just died. While we were doing this a policeman went past the other way and turned around to come help/slow traffic down. The poor old chap was very thankful for the help and even the copper said thanks
Twas fun =D
Some people have said I'm not the most approachable person being 6 feet 2 inches tall, 17 stone, bald head, gold teeth and tatoo's, but I still stop if someone looks like they need help. I smile, introduce myself and ask if I can help in anyway. I may look like the stereotypical thug you see in most movies but I don't act like them. I was brought up to have good manners and to help my fellow man(or women) if I can. Its a pity society and its fundimental values like "trust" has changed for the worst. Its so bad that most people quickly drive staight past other road users when they are in obvious need of help. I know there are idiots out there that would take advantage of a persons trust but I for one will not them change the values given to me by my parents and grand parents so of course I voted YES
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I've never stopped for anyone broken down, not because I'm an evil man, just because the route to work never has any safe spots to stop and help..
I did however stop recently after an accident. I happened to look in the rear view just in time to see a 60mph Pug 106 shaped blur fly off the road and into a tree.
I stamped the brakes on, turned around and went to make sure the occupants (5 very pretty 16-19 year old girls) were ok before dialing 999.
Luckily they did it directly outside of a care home so the staff came out with First Aid boxes and stuff.. 2 Ambulances and 3 Police cars arrived in the end, I was an hour late for work but got paid for it so all was good!:slayer:
I did however stop recently after an accident. I happened to look in the rear view just in time to see a 60mph Pug 106 shaped blur fly off the road and into a tree.
I stamped the brakes on, turned around and went to make sure the occupants (5 very pretty 16-19 year old girls) were ok before dialing 999.
Luckily they did it directly outside of a care home so the staff came out with First Aid boxes and stuff.. 2 Ambulances and 3 Police cars arrived in the end, I was an hour late for work but got paid for it so all was good!:slayer:
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ajmcguk
New member
I voted yes, but with a caveat: only in 'unusual' circumstances.
For example, last winter when it snowed a LOT it took me 7 hours to get home when it normally takes half hour (due to the snow and subsequent traffic).
As the queue i was in started moving a little better i drove passed a guy who had skidded into the side of the road. He looked clueless so I pulled over and told him to gun the engine whilst I pushed the front of his car (to pivot him on the spot). Once he was facing the right way he carried on home after thanking me quite a bit.
However, this was in an 'unusual' circumstance. You hear so many reports of thieves targeting friendly motorist by pretending to break down that I wouldn't recommend helping people. Most people have breakdown cover. If they don't, they can phone a friend.
For example, last winter when it snowed a LOT it took me 7 hours to get home when it normally takes half hour (due to the snow and subsequent traffic).
As the queue i was in started moving a little better i drove passed a guy who had skidded into the side of the road. He looked clueless so I pulled over and told him to gun the engine whilst I pushed the front of his car (to pivot him on the spot). Once he was facing the right way he carried on home after thanking me quite a bit.
However, this was in an 'unusual' circumstance. You hear so many reports of thieves targeting friendly motorist by pretending to break down that I wouldn't recommend helping people. Most people have breakdown cover. If they don't, they can phone a friend.
fronteratech
Member
was helping many people last winter additional equipment in the fronty over the winter.
- towrope
- flashing beacon
- jump leads
- boots
- wd40
- flask
- antifreeze
- two flashlights
- roof lights
- shovel
I live on a busy road and have helped people who have broken down outside a few times, two of them needed water for the rad and one had a flat. I would like to think that I would stop for someone but as a female driving alone I would be cautious. A few months ago I had a flat on the way back from my sons wedding, November -18 degrees in Cardiff and snowing. We live in London, I had been up since 5am and driven all the way there and all the way back. It was 11.30pm and the front tyre blew out three miles from my house on the way home. I am so thankful that didnt happen when I was on the M4 doing 100mph.
Anyway there were four of us, we were all knackered and freezing and none of us were dressed for wrestling with a filthy wheel in the snow - and none of us could get the wheel nuts loose. The AA said they would be there in an hour. A complete stranger walked past and asked what was wrong, he then took over and didnt just loosen the nuts but changed the whole wheel, I was SO grateful and we all threw cash at him.
Anyway there were four of us, we were all knackered and freezing and none of us were dressed for wrestling with a filthy wheel in the snow - and none of us could get the wheel nuts loose. The AA said they would be there in an hour. A complete stranger walked past and asked what was wrong, he then took over and didnt just loosen the nuts but changed the whole wheel, I was SO grateful and we all threw cash at him.
I towed an OAP in a Fiesta with a burnt out clutch off of a dangerous part of the A12 about 3-4 weeks ago.
Was great fun, I was first to stop and assist, then her friend came, shortly followed by the police who done a complete lane closure.
Her friend in his 4x4 said I'll tow it, I've a towbar, but he nor the police office had equipment, so out came my towing bar, hooked it upto my towbar and front of the fiesta and towed it with a police escourt. Was great fun with the blue flashing lights.
Then got it into the layby and AA decided to turn up
Was great fun, I was first to stop and assist, then her friend came, shortly followed by the police who done a complete lane closure.
Her friend in his 4x4 said I'll tow it, I've a towbar, but he nor the police office had equipment, so out came my towing bar, hooked it upto my towbar and front of the fiesta and towed it with a police escourt. Was great fun with the blue flashing lights.
Then got it into the layby and AA decided to turn up
