It’s not just American women who have become skittish when it comes to strangers. The overwhelming majority of British women in a recent survey–83 percent–would prefer to be left stranded in their vehicle at night, even when they are alone, rather than come face-to-face with a stranger offering help.
This statistic came from a survey of 2,000 drivers in the United Kingdom conducted in August by Direct Line Rescue, a U.K. roadside assistance firm. And apprehension goes both ways. Almost two-thirds–61 percent–of female drivers said they would never stop for another motorist who had broken down at night.
The research found that younger Brits were among those most fearful of stopping. Nearly half–49 percent–of all drivers over 65 said they would stop at night to offer help to another motorist, but only 38 percent of drivers 17 to 24 would. However, there were no differences in rural areas versus metropolitan areas in willingness to accept or provide assistance.
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When asked why they wouldn’t want help, or want to offer help, women said they worried about their personal safety, were fearful about approaching strangers and were concerned that the breakdown could be “bogus.”
Even British males were reluctant to accept assistance from a humanitarian. The research found that 47 percent of men would rather be left alone in trouble on the roadside after dark.
“We found these high numbers for both sexes quite surprising,” says Louise Gough, co-author of the Direct Line report. But despite the statistics, she says the Good Samaritan is not becoming extinct.
“So many people have mobile phones that we heard that people will see someone who is waving for attention and go around the corner, stop and call for emergency service using the mobile,” she says.
Gough hopes the survey will help draw attention to ways that drivers can be safe, but still be Good Samaritans.