I agree. I hitchhiked a lot when I was in my teens and twenties and came to no harm. I think it is a climate of fear on both sides - young people are afraid of older people and vice versa.

I agree with you, 273kelvin. I was one of those people hitchhiking all over Europe in the earty 70s. Had some hairy experiences with guys who payment"( ass, grass or gas) but I talked my way out of that.. Most peole were glad to have the company. Here in America, people are scared to stick their thumbs out. I stop and pick them up if we are going the same way. I do not meet many dedicated wanderers anymore, the ones with big backpacks and tents.

I used to hitchhike a bit, way back in high school. I was probably about 21 the last time I picked one up. Now I'm afraid of getting tortured to death so some sadistic monster can get his jollies, so nah, sorry.

I try and pick people up, but I've found that so many of them smell really bad I don't want them in my truck.

I’ve never hitched myself—I’m 57, so it was getting less common when I was a teenager. I do pick people up, though. I just moved from a literal mountain top, 8 miles from Asheville, 5 from the closest bus stop. If I was heading to town and saw someone, I’d take them.

Maybe youngsters these days lack that sense of adventure we had.

I hitched all over the country (and spent many a happy Friday night stuck at Knutsford bloody servises) and would always pick up hikers when driving.

With the exception of platers, I never see hikers these days.

To many killers and predators driving around. Not really to many tales of crazed hitch hikers ( though I did pick up an over tweeked meth head once). In California, we started installing solar powered call boxes every few miles on the highways because of women meeting tragic ends after having their car break down.

way back in the 80's hitched hiked all over the uk trying to "find myself"...for a whole year...loved every minute and had many adventures with male and female drivers...though not what you think except for the female drivers...was an eye opener and with guitar in hand sang many songs and made many friends and made lots of money now and again busking...but would be scared now..way scared...

Its quite common in France and considered a bit of a social fais pau not to pick up a hitcher. When I was younger I'd regularly hitch to Hull (from East Lancs) and get a walk on Ferry to Amsters..party all weekend and hitch back to nurse training school for monday. (I hope mi old Dad never reads that.. or my kids for that matter ) I pick up hitchers if I have room.

When I was young I hitchhiked a lot, too. Never had a bad experience as a hitchhiker. When I got back ffrom my Army assignment in Berlin, I hitchhiked from New York City to Jacksonville, Florida ( and pocketed my travel pay) Yes, times have changed. The interstate system had a lot to do with the decline of hitchhiking.

If you can afford an iPhone and data plan, you can buy a car.

I live out on old route 66 which is now 285 on the map I see hitchhikers all the time.

Some money-humper probably started spreading false information about the dangers because he thought hitchhiker's were lazy bla bla handouts bla bla socialism dribble drool fart.

Statically, violent crime is actually down. However, reporting of violent crimes is way up. It isn't so much that it is mroe dangerous to hitch hike today, as it is people just think it is.

Yes, we do live in a fear based society, which is one of the reasons why religon in the U.S. is so strong. People are afraid.

As far as hitchiking goes, first society says that it is too dangerous to hitch hike. Then if you do hitch hike, they say if somethign bad happens to you it is your own fault, rather than the fault of ht eperson who caused you harm (blaming the victim). Kind of like how a firl woudl get blamed for beign raped becuse of wh tshe wore, instead of blaming the rapist for their actions. In th eend the victim feels shame for havign been victimized.

Religion also uses guilt fear and shame, as ways of distractign peopel from the real root cause fo problems and unhappiness. Victims are confronted with statements like, "Oh, the priest raped you, and what was it that you did to tempt the priest whom we all know is such a good man of god".

No it is too dangerous today. I would stop and pick up hitches along my way and I hitched myself But then there were no where near the number of guns as we have today. In addition we have absurd gun laws as well as right wing nut jobs. No, I am sorry for those I now pass by, but not today

I agree, it is safer today with smartphones. It’s more common outside of the US. I’m up for it. I like meeting random people and those willing to help others are the ones you are lucky to share an experience with.

Having done my share of hitchhiking, when I was much younger, I freely admit it was an incredibly stupid thing to have done. I was lucky nothing bad ever happened to me in the process.
It's an unnecessary risk. It has nothing to do with a "climate of fear". It has everything to do with common sense.
There have always been predators just waiting for an opportunity.
Hitchhiking only increases the chances of becoming a statistic, especially for females.
It is most definitely not "a great way to get around".

I don't know but I think its because of mobile phones and social media. people can find out when someone else is going their way and you can phone up for a lift.

Shows like "Criminal Minds"! Actually, the prcentage of perverts, murdereres, etc. tremains about the same, but the population has exploded sothere are of course more of them around.