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Car Trouble

By Rose Stricker ( Contact )   April 28, 2011

I pulled up to the stop sign, heard a rather loud clunk under the car, and then I was stuck. The car wouldn't move. I activated the hazards and called a tow truck, my boss, and my husband... in that order.

And then I waited.

Do you know what happens when you sit in an unmoving car in a Milton intersection?
Surprisingly, not much.
Cars drove around me. No one honked in frustration. Very few people even rubber necked.

In the 10-15 minutes I waited for the tow truck, one vehicle pulled over to offer help. She and I tried to push my car to the side of the road, but it wouldn't budge. (Turns out I had a brake pad issue that wouldn't allow even the tow truck to roll the car forward.)
But, that woman was the only one who stopped to make sure I was taken care of. She didn't leave until she was sure I'd gotten hold of a mechanic and a ride.

Is it odd that only one person stopped?
Granted, I had a cell phone and could call all the help I needed by myself (which I did). But, only one? Did they all see that I had a phone and assume that I was fine?

If you were stranded on the side of the road, what would you expect? Would you want passers-by to do something to help, or would you prefer they simply leave you to deal with your issues in peace?

reader COMMENTS
LibraryLady
Apr 29, 2011 at 8:31 a.m.
Suggest removal

I remember one winter a couple of years ago when a co-worker and I were driving home from work in Whitewater in a snow storm. We slid into a ditch. Two women trying to push the car out of the ditch, one of them very pregnant, and not one car stopped and offered any assistance. I was a little discouraged to say the least. I sure we did not look threatening to anyone.

bwheelock
Apr 28, 2011 at 5:45 p.m.
Suggest removal

Steve Knox wrote a blog about this a little while ago. I'd like to think I'd stop, but in reality my own car knowledge is limited to the problems I've experienced with my own vehicles.
Actually, come to think of it, since my Tempo left me by the side of the road no fewer than five times, I could probably help. ;)

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