Motors News

A new motoring survey has found that drivers in Donegal are the most likely to pull over and help a fellow driver in need. But motorists from Kildare and Meath might want to look away now.

The survey, carried out by AA Ireland, asked more than 12,000 drivers from across the country a series hypothetical questions about their reactions on encountering stranded motorists on the side of the road.

Would they find it in their hearts to do a good deed and pull over, or drive on by and let someone else worry about it?

Drivers from Donegal turned out to be the good Samaritans in the survey, with more than three out of five (61 per cent) respondents from the county saying that they would lend assistance if they thought it was needed.

At the other end of the scale, 40 per cent of drivers from Kildare and 43 per cent from Meath said that they would keep on driving rather than stopping to offer a dig out, although the survey didn’t elaborate on whether or not the fact that there are motorways running through both counties played a part in the respondents’ answers.

The survey also found that 55 per cent of men would stop to help a female motorist, although only 4 per cent of gals would do similar if the roles were reversed. That seems a bit harsh on women in this country; they're obviously aware that the men of Ireland would probably be too proud to take on board motoring advice from anyone, let alone female strangers passing by.

With motorcyclists, however, there seems to be an entirely different code of conduct in place as with the vast majority of respondents saying they would always stop to help out a fellow biker.

So, just remember, if you are going to breakdown somewhere in Ireland, Donegal's your best bet. It's a big-ass county though, so it might be some time before somebody comes to your aid.