At approximately 5:30 pm today, I was at a red light and suddenly a woman and apparently her kid jumped into the backseat of my car. She said she and her kid was being threatened by her (boyfriend/husband?) who was following near her. And she needed to reach some family members.
I drove her a short distance and dropped her off at the parking lot of a target.

So the question is, Should I have done something different? Or was this ok?

Depends how far she wanted to go. If the target you dropped her off at was acceptable to her, then I think you did the right thing. If she wanted to go really far away and you didn't drive more than 5 minutes, then I think you should've driven further.

IMO in this sort of situation driving for 10-15 minutes out of your way is about as far as is reasonable, after that it time they relied on their friends and family or organisations set up to deal with that sort of thing, rather than random strangers. Especially as the wrong random stranger could easily have abducted her and raped her, etc.

So your doors were unlocked from the start?

If it's to help out another, why not?

She said to just go she did not say where. I asked if target was acceptable and she said yes.

Yes my doors were unlocked, Who locks their doors when they are IN the car and driving.

My doors autolock.

Anyway, sounds like the right thing. You did what she asked and didn't get your head chopped off.

Personally, I would've taken her to the nearest police station, not target. I suppose you could've done more, but you did enough I think. What else could you have done? (aside from driving her somewhere else I mean)

I've got to go with everyone else on this one. Sure, you coulda driven further, but she said Target was fine, and nothing bad happened to you/her (as far as we know). I bet you're glad the doors don't autolock. Woulda sucked for her if he was following her, and everyone had autolocking doors.

I'd say what you did was pretty commendable. Sure, you could've done more, but you also could've done far less. Props to ya.

I do. When I was a little kid, my dad made a left turn and the unlocked door swung open while I was in the passenger seat. I would have fallen out if he didn't grab the door handle and shut it while holding me in the car. I've been paranoid ever since.

Aren't there like, child-proof car doors in mini-vans now?

It really depends on where you live... in some places you could be considered lucky to be alive.

You did the right thing, but, you need to be more careful. At least, that's how I see it.

How do you fall out of a chair when you're strapped into it? Did the chair almost fall out?

No seat belts in the car?

EDIT: Did I really put that s in car?

Need to agree with Vrael here.

I have absolutely no idea where the police station is.

I'd be more worried about my safety over their safety at that point in time, I've always disliked the prospect of having random people in a car with me by myself. You did what you could, and lock your doors next time. D:

You did what she asked, so I don't see the problem. Sounds fishy to me, some sort of con where they snatch valuables out of your backseat without you even suspecting it. But then again, I'm paranoid when it comes to random people jumping in your car.

It was most likely a domestic dispute over a dinner situation, given the time. This could indicate that the husband/boyfriend is a hard working individual, who expects other family members to be the same. The fact that you gave this woman a ride indicates that:
A. She was not concerned about bringing other people into such a domestic dispute.
B. Your a nice person, even to those who forcibly demand your help. And your car is decent enough for others to approach.
C. She can't run.

A. could possibly mean that she is unfaithful, or at least sociable to the point where such a husband may become concerned, and express such concern through anger. It could also mean that you have now been incorporated into such a drama, just as her child is probably not the front of the husband's/boyfriend's anger, but rather an accessory. Your affiliation with this woman may be called upon at a future point.
B. shows that you most likely did the right thing, although I now wish to express my own need for five dollars, if you would be so kind to deposit it in my paypal account. If I can't get this sum by tomorrow, I'm sure I will be hurt severely.
C. indicates that you are stifling the evolutionary process of a fight or flight response. Although this one case may not be significant, if we continue to suppress the need to take action in dire circumstances we will inevitably be unable to act effectively in the event that we do not have such supports.

In short, you did the right thing, but beware of people like this, and you've doomed the human race.

1. Chick prolly snatched any goods you were lugging in your back seat.
2. Lock your doors dude, lol.
3. If she was in trouble, you prolly helped her so that's good.
4. Was she hot? Was a number obtained?
5. Did possible angry man see your car? Prepare for slashed tires (or worse) if so.
6. Was it the right thing to do? That's up to you man, no one other than yourself can tell you what is right and wrong.

Knowing the area you live in (thanks to the College thread ), I'd fear more for my own safety. But I've had nothing but bad/weird experiences out there.