UK drivers unwilling to stop and help a fellow motorist

The traditional image of the good Samaritan is under threat in Britain, according to research issued today. Findings compiled by Green Flag Motoring Assistance revealed that over half of Britains motorists would not to offer help if they saw someone stranded with a broken down vehicle at the side of the road.

August, 2003 -- Out of some 2,000 drivers surveyed over half (54 per cent) said they would not stop to help a stranded motorist. Those most likely to stop were men, 60 per cent, compared with only 35 per cent of women.

Green Flags survey also highlighted that younger drivers were least likely to stop. Almost 70 per cent of drivers aged 16 to 24 year olds saying they would be least likely to stop and help, compared to 48 per cent of over 55-year-olds.

Commenting on the findings, Green Flag spokesman Nigel Charlesworth said: The results are a likely indicator of todays society, where drivers in general, and young women in particular, are more aware of the potential dangers of stopping to help strangers.

Unfortunately, this means people experiencing genuine breakdowns are unlikely to receive much help unless they are a customer of a quick-response breakdown provider."

While incidents of violent crimes such as car jacking are still rare, it is worth taking measures to avoid becoming a victim.

Green Flag offers the following tips to help motorists feel safer behind the wheel:

Make sure you tell someone where you are going, and when you expect to be back.

Ensure you have enough fuel for the journey.

Make sure your car is well maintained and serviced regularly to minimise the risk of breaking down.

Keep your doors locked and windows closed while driving.

Keep valuables out of sight.

If you think you are being followed, drive to a police station or a well-lit public place such as a pub or garage forecourt.

Carry a mobile phone or change for a public phone, and the number of your breakdown provider.

If you do breakdown
Pull off the road as far as possible and switch on the hazard lights.
Use a mobile phone or walk to the nearest phone and call your breakdown organisation. Let them know if you are in a vulnerable situation.
Make sure children are safe -- do not leave them alone in the car.
If you breakdown on the motorway pull onto the hard shoulder, get out of the car by the passenger door and wait for assistance on the verge, away from the traffic. Ten per cent of motorway accidents involve a collision with a vehicle on the hard shoulder.
When assistance arrives, check to make sure the person knows your name and has been sent to help you specifically.

Green Flag launched an SMS text messaging service last year, providing extra peace of mind for motorists stranded at the roadside. Once alerted of the incident, text alerts from Green Flag inform the customer that help is on its way.

Ends

Notes to editors

Research was conducted between March 17 and March 31, 2003 via the Tickbox Survey website at www.tickbox.com.

Green Flag Motoring Assistance provides roadside rescue and recovery to almost 5m customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Green Flags incident management centre in Leeds handles around 1m calls each year.

On average Green Flag reaches customers within 39 minutes (based on 213,000 customer questionnaires undertaken from July 2002 to June 2003.)

Press calls
Contact Nigel Charlesworth or Melanie Denny on 0113 399 1427/1387 (out of hours 07711 964 615).

Public-relations@greenflag.com www.greenflag.com