Helping hand harder to find: NRMA survey

Seven out of 10 motorists in NSW and the ACT believe that our willingness to help each other out has declined over the last 20 years, according to research commissioned by NRMA Motoring & Services.

Three-quarters of motorists surveyed blame a lack of trust in others for the decline in Australians' helpfulness.  The survey of 500 motorists of NSW and the ACT found that although 58% believed we were a helpful nation, much of this assistance was conditional.

"NRMA's survey has found that Australians are more willing to assist an animal in distress before a person," NRMA CEO Tony Stuart said.
"Almost 90% said they would help an animal they had accidentally hit while driving, but a mere 13% would unconditionally stop for someone who needed help changing a tyre on the side of the road.

"This year, NRMA celebrates 85 years of helping Australian motorists travel safely, especially when they have broken down.

"Since 1920, NRMA has been the motorists' champion and it is this help that has made NRMA a household name.

"Our own research has found that NRMA Members look to our patrols for safety and security for the whole family - this survey highlights why NRMA's long-standing roadside service is so important to the community."

The research found that unconditional help is hard to find today across a range of scenarios, including only:

• 27% would stop and offer to help someone with directions regardless of whether or not they were in a rush
• 4% would always lend their mobile phone to a stranger without condition
• 29% would personally step in and defend someone getting attacked

Mr Stuart said motorists faired far better at simple acts of kindness such as opening doors, helping a parent with a pram and giving up their seats on a bus.

"Although motorists are less inclined to significantly go out of their way to assist with people broken down, needing directions or being attacked, simpler acts that require less effort fair much better.

"Almost 80% said they would unconditionally offer assistance to a parent trying to get their child up a set of stairs in a pram. More than 90% said they would also give up their seat for someone on a bus, if they were elderly or pregnant."

Mr Stuart said motorists in the ACT are much more willing to lend a hand than those in NSW.

"In many of the categories ACT folk would be more prepared to help out than their counterparts in NSW," Mr Stuart said.

Motorists living in the ACT were more likely to provide unconditional help than people living in NSW when:

• Helping someone repair a tyre (17% v 10%)
• Helping someone whose car had broken down at night (37% v 23%)
• Defending a stranger who was being attacked (39% v 24%)

Motorists living in rural NSW compared to those living in the city are more likely to check to see if a stranger was OK after they tripped over (76% v 65%).

Mr Stuart said those surveyed believed Australians are less helpful today than 20 years ago because we no longer trust each other and are more self-centred.

"Over the last 85 years, NRMA has worked alongside the community during times of war, bushfires, floods and other disasters.

"There is no question that Australians pull together during times of dire need. However, this survey highlights that we could be more compassionate on a daily basis.

"NRMA celebrates its 85th anniversary this year and we want to do our part to encourage a greater helping hand. That is why we are sponsoring NRMA's Helping People Day on Friday 15 July.

"We want everyone in the community to show at least one act of unconditional help to someone in need - whether that be by opening a door, hailing a cab or helping someone on the side of the road.

"We all want to be part of a more caring community - and this is a good way to start."