Was What I Did Good, Stupid Or Neglectful?

[bluefortress]

Ive just done something and I can't make my mind up if it was a good deed, stupid or if I didnt do enough. 
 

Basically I was driving to my aunts house as Im stopping there tonight (due to house rennovations). Its a 6 minute drive away just through an estate and main road. I was driving along and a young lad (looked about 13 or 14) was waving and signalling me to stop. 
 

I did eventually and I locked the car door and rolled the window. He looked frightened and said he needed to get to the bus station do I know where it is/am i going past it.  It was quite a way away down the road and he looked genuinly afraid and seemed to be shaking a bit so I just said get in.
 

I then felt uneasy/anxious and was looking at his hands in case it was a trick or he had anything. He was just clicking his knuckles anxiously and must have noticed that I was scared as he said 'are you alright' I said 'yea, where are you from etc'. I let him out a bit early at the top of the road and directed him but it was quite a way away. He said thanks. 
 

Afterwards I couldnt make my mind up if i was stupid for giving a stranger a lift in the dark or neglectful for not making sure he got there due to his age. : /

What would have been the most sensible thing to do..

[david small]

I would have driven him to the bus station. 

[Canary42]

Difficult to call - you were aware of possible dangers and made a value judgement at the time.  But conmen are cunning.  Nevertheless I recommend that you now bask in the reflection of your virtuous gesture and be thankful you acted as you did.

[bluefortress]

Thanks Dave and Canary

Yea I honestly didn't know what to do, I cant think on my feet and felt scared lol

[calmck]

Would it be wise to call the local police station non emergency in case he is running away from home and just let them know?

[Old_Geezer]

Life is full of risks. You made a judgement call, one that showed compassion but increased risk to yourself. All ended well. No point in analysing it further.

[Smowball]

I would have probably driven him to the police station because if he was going to do anything then an extra minute or so in the car wouldn't have made much difference, but easy for me to say when I'm sat here. Very different when you're suddenly put into that position like you were. Well done tho x

[10ClarionSt]

It's ok driving someone to the nearest police station if there is a police station nearby. Round here the nearest one is 5 miles away.

I would't have given him a lift. At 13/14 he wouldn't be incapable. And kids that age have been known to be involved in criminality. You might think that's callous, but self-preservation rules.

[davebro3]

I probly wouldn't have stopped & maybe regretted it for a short time afterwards.

I sometimes (not so much these days it seems) pass a hitch-hiker in the daytime and don't stop for whatever reason then end up feeling guilty. But sometimes I do stop.

[gingejbee]

Love it when people say "nearest police station", or "nearest hospital" etc. Our nearest manned police station is 12 miles away; nearest hospital with A&E is 11 miles.

[bluefortress]

Thanks all, if it happened again I probably wouldn't take the risk. 

[Ken4155]

I once stopped to give Rutger Hauer. Never again!

[Ken4155]

I once stopped to give Rutger Hauer a lift. Never again.

Pressed 'anser now' too soon🙄

[bednobs]

i would have driven past with none of the afforementioned guilt

[Hazlinny]

There is hardly a day goes past that one reads of crimes committed by children of that age and, though I'd probably once have stopped to give a lift, I would not do so now.
In your case, why drop him off quite a distance from the bus station - surely it would have been better (having decided to stop in the first instance) to see that he got there safely?

[bluefortress]

I was a bit anxious Hazlinney and Im not sure exactly where to pull up for the bus station as its on a main road. I only ever walk to it myself