I recently became stranded on a rural highway while driving from a friend's house to my home (~2 hours). I had the flashers on, and unfortunately, was not in an area that had cell phone coverage. I did not know the area well, so decided to stay with my car. Not much traffic on this road, but every 10 minutes or so, a car would go past, without stopping. I waited for over 2 hours before someone finally stopped, and offered assistance.

What has happened to our society? Are we all afraid of each other, or just genuinely disinterested?

Mindy, if you pop the hood, then it looks like your car is in distress. Next time, whether or not you have a flat tire, take out the spare tire, and look "helpless" -- then someone is bound to stop. Sitting there with the flashers on, a passing driver could concur that help is already on the way.

Mindy,
I have helped motorists when I'm with hubby. But times are so bad....remember Bill Cosby's son being killed? If I am alone or afraid to stop and I see someone stranded, I call the police from the next phone I can find.Don't lose faith on humanity- sorry you had problems!

I was taught to refuse unrequested help from strangers as there are some wackos who would find a woman in distress too good to pass up. Under that logic, I think most people probably don't offer help for fear of it being taken the wrong way or getting hurt themselves. I think the best thing to do is to wait and look for a single woman driver to flag down. Stereotypical, yes, but better safe than sorry.

I believe that in many areas people assume that in this cell phone saturated era, the person at side of road has already called for assistance (or that someone else has already called). I suspect that if you waved for help someone would pull over quite quickly.

Recently, when this happened to me, i went to my trunk and got out my windshield screen (the things that keep your car cool)the back of it says
"NEEP HELP, PLEASE CALL POLICE"
I had help within 15 minutes. A car slowed, showed me the cell phone so I knew it was her who called.
I don't blame anyone for not stopping. I now have one of those things in my car at all times.

Good idea Cat. I have a cell phone with me at all times now, but there are definitely areas where the reception is neglible at best.

We recently had a similiar experience, broke down on the side of the interstate at 11 pm with a 10 mile walk in both directions to the nearest exits. Luckily, we had a cell phone and were able to have friends meet us (took them an hour to get there). We had the blinkers on and the hood up - in that time no one stopped, police finally stopped about five minutes before our friends got there.

Of course, honestly, I doubt I would have stopped myself.

Pulling to the side of any highway is dangerous enough as it puts you at risk of being run into by inattentive drivers without the added fear that it could be a trap. I'm all for calling for help if you see someone stranded.

As someone who was stranded for 4 hours in 104 degrees in the beautiful San Juaquin Valley I can say that I was terrified when helpful men stopped to ask to assist. They were very considerate though. One guy asked me if I needed water and since he could tell I was scared to death he took a drink first and then put it on the hood of my car and walked far away so I'd feel safe drinking it. While I guzzled the water I kept my eye on him but he stayed far away. He said he'd check on me again on his way back to make sure I was ok. I'll always remember his thoughtfullness.

There are many cases of criminals/con artists who stop on the side of the road in a somewhat deserted area, hood up/flashers on, and wait for someone to stop. Then they take the person's wallet, car, and possibly do worse. I would NEVER stop to help someone pulled over, I would call the police at the next exit. If I was stranded with a non-working cell phone I would put up the hood/flashers, put a sign in the back windshield, and stay in the car with the doors locked.

People without a good grasp of the English language are likely to find themselves stranded more easily that those who are better educated. You meant to say "what if it WERE you", but you are forgiven.

Great idea about the sign - if it WAS we, I wish I had one - will pick one up pronto!

Last summer, on a very hot day, while driving on the highway in Sonoma, CA, my husband and I stopped for an older gentleman who was standing next to a beautiful, vintage Alfa Romeo convertible. It was mid day and the highway was well traveled.

The man was very greatful, stating that he had left his cell phone at home and had been standing there in the hot sun for over 30 minutes, watching the cars whiz past him. Apparently no one bothered to call for help either, because we were with him for another 30 minutes while my husband started the car for him, and no police officers appeared.

Sad sad commentary on what our world has become. Luckily for the man, we were driving our Alfa Romeo too. Had he been in a Fiat, we might have kept going.....

Oops ....grateful, not greatful.

Also, besides correcting my spelling, my husband said that he didn't just 'start the car', he reattached the carburettor linkage with a tie wrap (yes, he always carries them with him on the road!)

I live in a rural area and unfortunatelly we do not stop not because we do not care about other people but because we are thought not to trust others. Yes, it is a sad situation but we have no choice.
Avoid driving on back roads after dark. You got some great suggestions here. Follow them and when you see someone with disabled car on some isolated country road DO NOT stop. How do you know who they are and if their car is really broken or just a bait. Before you go on any trip in any unfamiliar area always make sure your car is in a good condition. I would stay in the car and wait for a police to get there even if that meant waiting 4-5 hours but would never wait outside my car trying to get someone to stop. Let your friend or family member know where you are going, what route you are taking and when you will be in your destination. When you are not back in a specified time they should know when and where to look for you. We do not have cell phone because in the mountains where we live it is a useless piece of equipement.

The most important you are fine now and are learning a lot from this experience.