Could you manage without a cell phone?

[danny_galaga]

How exactly is having that phone supposed to help when most people would drive right past a car flipped in a ditch to begin with? 

Well, I've actually been on both sides of that scenario.  One time, I saw a car flip into a ditch but my cell phone was dead.  Nothing I could do at the scene, so I drive a couple of miles to a gas station (and then the 911 operator argued with me about the location but we finally got it sorted out).

Another time, I was the person sending that car off the road.  Several people called it in.

People aren't all demons.

I've sorta seen both sides myself. I witnessed a truck crash, and called it in on my mobile. I also witnessed a car crash, but I didn't own a mobile, so I ran over to a house and got them to call an ambulance. I've also had my car break down in the middle of the California desert. This was in '96. I definitely didn't own a phone then. No one stopped to help, but (I don't know if they still exist) every mile or so was an emergency phone, so I was able to organise a tow truck. If they didn't exist, and I got more desperate, I'm sure I would have been able to flag someone down.

People are either going to stop and help, or not. And I suspect it has been much the same before and after the advent of mobile phones.

Actually, the California thing reminds me that there are all sorts of people around. That car I had kept breaking down. I broke down on an L.A freeway. A truck pulled up in front of me, full of Hispanic guys. I was worried they were going to roll me (!) but one of them asked what was wrong and I told him the car had overheated. He went back and got me a bottle of water (",)

A cop also pulled up at one stage, he started putting out traffic cones. I thought 'that's a bit un necessary'. he asked if I was ok, I said yes and he left it at that. The cones? he just happened to be setting up a detour near me, it was just coincidence I broke down there.

I digress. I always have to laugh when someone says they need to have their phone on in a cinema. To my way of thinking, there is no possible reason. You need the phone on? Watch a DVD.