20 Answers

Its not safe anymore. Don,t do it.

It was done alot in the past, but it's not safe anywhere these days. Best not to .

Don't do it.  

You could get raped and murdered by some physco. Why would you risk it?

 You CANNOT hitch hike without risking your life!  It is as simple as that!   DON'T!!!

Employ a bodyguard.

When i had a pickup truck i picked up an occasional hitch hiker and made them ride in back, now it's illegal to do that much, as well as picking up hitchhikers..

The fact is folks do run out of gas miles away from a station, have an auto breakdown, ran out of money or lost their wallet, are so screwed up on drugs or alcohol that they have no friends and can't get where-ever-better-than-here, or are out to have an unfortunate encounter for a perfect stranger. Guessing the hitch-hickers intent is impossible. So we are left with no alternative but to require the local police to deal with the problem by rendering assistance to the hitch-hicker such as a bus ride, a ride to social services, hospital, their stranded car, or perhaps jail. 

Will some people take advantage of the service? Of course, record keeping determines weather abuse of the the assistance is occuring to levy fines or other responsible action. 

Not recomended, but if you are going to do that, at least bring a can of pepper spray or mace. That way you are able to defend yourself enough to get away, but you are not introducing weapons into a possible situation where a person could use your own weapon against you.

Think about it, close quarters with someone who might be physically stronger than you. Chances are that you are not going to have an element of surprise, because you would be attempting to ward off an attack with a weapon of last resort that requires personal contact to use. Go with something that allows distance, and never give up element of surprise in responding to an attack on your person.

nothitchhiking!

Take time machine back to about 1950 and your chances are pretty good ....... but, guess if you had a time machine, you wouldn't need to hitch-hike.

Only accept rides from your family, or close friends.

After you read all of these replies, ask "how to drink poison w/o ill effects".............

Look, A lot of us "older" folks remember hichhiking in certain places years ago.  It is no longer safe...

Carry enough $ for a bus, subway ride, cab with you.  If your car breaks call a towing service or the police...or call a friend.

and if you are planning to 'ditch home' then plan where you will go and how you can get there using friend's cars and public transportation.  Once you get to the location call a relative and tell them you are safe!  (Although, staying with a friend or relative until the home situation is resolved would be my recommendation.

PLease Please,  DONT HITCH HIKE, put value on your life, you only have one.

The safest way to hitch a ride is to call someone you know and ask if you can hitch a ride with him/her.  

WATCH THE MOVIE " WILLOWS CREEK".....AND YOU`LL BE SURE NEVER TO HITCH HIKE EVER AGAIN!!!...SCARY DOESN`T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE IT!!!...(AND I LOVE A SCARY MOVIE...BUT THAT TOTAL FREAK OUT)! ! ! :-Z

IF YOU. are intending to hitch hike!" take a friend with you Two people are better than "One.be very alert !! Never drop your Guard Enjoy!!

Now days it's just not safe but if your in a place where you have to you need a good cell phone, take a photo of the cars license plate and car then tell them you sent it to someone and would like to see there drivers license to do the same for your own safety, if they refuse don't go with them if they do then should be fine but still no guarantee.

Sad that it's like that now but there still are good people out there and they should be willing to let you do that if you were afraid.