I was reading a news story where a man stopped to help a car with it's hazard lights on and ended up getting a beating instead.

I have stopped many times to help stranded motorists and to date have had no problems. I will drive past the car first and circle back for another look then judge if it is safe enough to offer help.

I always have a pad and pen in the car and I write down the stranded car make/model, color and plate number then put this paper in my sock before getting out of the car to offer. The idea of putting this info in my sock is in case I get beaten, robbed, car-jacked etc. Chances are slim the perpetrators will make me remove my socks and hopefully this hidden info will allow the police to catch the pinheads.

How do you deal with stranded motorists and what precautions do you take?