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'''Hitchhiking at [[File:Nighthitchhiking.JPG|thumb|right|250px|left|User [[User:Korn|Korn]] night''' is definitely not as easy as during daylight-hitchhiking in Canada with proper equipment. But it's still possible, depending on the situation Bride suit and locationshinign reflectors]][[File:Lifter_nightfall.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Thumbing at nightfall can be very cool]]
At [[gas stations]] '''Hitchhiking at night''' is definitely not as easy as during daylight. But it's still possible, depending on highways in [[Western Europe]] you stand a fair chance, especially when trying to reach a bigger citythe situation and location.
Sometimes, especially but not exclusively at night, drivers will At [[pick up a hitchhikerpetrol station hitchhiking|petrol stations]] because they are tired and sleepy, but must get to their destination on time. Make sure you never fall asleep motorways in someone's car if [[Western Europe]] you are suspecting this might be the case. Even if you can't find stand a conversation topicfair chance, stay alert. If you have especially when trying to reach a driving license you might indicate your driver of this fact. In some cases he or she will be happy to let you drivebigger city.
To enhance '''For [[Hitchhiker's safety|your visibility, and therefore also your chance for a ride, wear a fluorescent vest or jacketsafety]] always make sure that you are properly visible. You can buy these in any bigger gasstation, especially in those located on highways. They can be pretty expensive in these places though (they can ask up to 4EUR for one), but if you buy one in a regular supermarket, At night drivers might not notice you'll find one for 1EUR.If you don't have Consider wearing a fluorescent vest or jacket, try to lay hands on any kind of fluorescent of reflective material; reflective strips that bikers use for instance.Apart that it helps for visibility; it also looks more "professional" and trustworthyusing a torch. Drivers tend to trust you more, because if you'd be a maniak killer on the loose or an escaped convict or something, you wouldn't wear anything that draws attention, right?'
In any caseSometimes, especially but not exclusively at night, drivers will [[picking up hitchhikers|pick up a hitchhiker]] because they are tired and sleepy, try but must get to stand their destination on time. Make sure you never fall asleep in someone's car if you are suspecting this might be the case. Even if you can't find a conversation topic, stay alert. If you have a well-lit placedriving license you might indicate your driver of this fact. Traffic lights are also OKIn some cases he or she will be happy [[driving for your driver|to let you drive]].
[[Image:Roads=== Fluorescent vest ===To enhance your visibility, and therefore also your chance for a ride, wear a fluorescent vest or jacket. You can buy these in any bigger gas station, especially in those located on motorways.JPG|thumb|right|250px|left|ItThey can be relatively expensive in these places though (they can ask up to 4 euro for one), but if you buy one in a regular supermarket, you'll get tougherfind them for 1 euro.If you don't have a vest or jacket, try to lay hands on any kind of fluorescent of reflective material; reflective strips that bikers use for instance. Apart from much less trafficthat it helps for visibility; it also looks more "professional" and trustworthy. Drivers tend to trust you more, because if you'd be a maniac killer on the loose or an escaped convict or something, you wouldn't wear anything that draws attention, right?In some countries in Europe, people may like [[trustFrance]] , there are laws that force you less]]to wear a fluorescent vest. However in normal circumstances the police won't bother to stop.
{{stub}}When hitching in a lighted spot such as a major junction or the edge of the city, unless you are exactly sure where the driver offering a ride is heading, '''never ever''' accept rides to "a junction some kilometres down the road". However tempting it may be to get in a vehicle which will make you closer to your destination, you may very well end up in some fairly dark small junction where a narrow village road branches off the motorway and where you will likely spend hours until someone even dares to stop (or realise that there is a desperate hitchhiker waiting before it's too late to stop). Be patient, don't leave your well-lit major junction, and accept rides only to other well-lit major junctions or towns and cities.
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=== Flash light ===
Some hitchhikers also use flash or blinking lights to draw the attention of drivers. This can work rather effectively. When done in the right way, that means to start using the flash when an approaching car is about five seconds away, most drivers drop their speed for example from 80 to 40 kmh. They are very attentive at that moment and especially keen on getting to know if they will be obliged to stop (by police for example). When done at the very right moment, a decided gesture will bring some of those drivers to stop. The technique has been described in detail on [http://archive.today/w3WjL this page] of [[Vilnius Hitch-hiking Club|VHHC]].
=== Lighted spot ===
In any case, try to stand in a well-lit place, but handy remembering that for some people, the image of a persons (especially a stranger's) head lit from directly above or below can cast an evil looking shadow around the eyes. Traffic lights could also be OK. If you are two hitchhikers and one person can use a lamp to light up the other hitchhiker. If you're alone you have to improvise a little, but it usually works much better with light.
[[File:Guaka-hitching-west-bank-2008.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[User:Guaka|guaka]] hitching to [[Jerusalem]] at night in the [[West Bank]] next to the border with [[Jordan]], together with a German guy, who used Guaka's torch to light up the situation. They found a ride in half an hour!]]
=== Safety ===
[[File:Bundespolizei AT Warnweste rueckenansicht.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Police safety vest. Consider wearing something similar at night (well, probably without the Polizei text).]]
Also, it must be said that hitchhiking at night is slightly less safe than during the day. The obvious reason is that you are less visable which effect roadsafety. But also that whenever something happens it is less likely to be seen by people arround you, so you are less likely to receive help. In adition, the percentage of drunk drivers or extremely tired (dangerous) drivers is higher during the night. And finally, from personal experience, you are more likely to be tired yourself which will affect your awereness.
=== Resources ===
*[https://warmroads.de/en/the-technic-of-hitchhiking-at-night/ The Technique of Hitchhiking at Night]: Description of the technique of night-hitchhiking by Warmroads.de (2015).
[[Category:Practical info]]
[[Category:Night hitchhiking]]
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