5
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
'''Czech Republic''' (czech: ''Česká republika'') is a country in [[Europe]], with borders to [[Germany]], [[Austria]], [[Poland]] and [[Slovakia]]. It is a member state of the [[European Union]] as well as the [[Schengen Agreement]].
In most cases hitchhiking there is quite easy. Czech Republic is a transit country with dense traffic on its main roads. Along with the local drivers you can find there many drivers (especially truck drivers) from nearby countries. Local truck drivers are really friendly; young private car drivers often take two hitchhikers at a time, and many experiences show that Czechs understand hitchhiking excellently and often take hitchhikers several kms out of their route just to bring them closer to a better hitchhiking spot or their final destination. That works both for good and bad weather conditions. Older drivers usually speak only Czech, sometimes some Russian and more seldom German. Younger drivers usually have at least a basic level of English. There is an assumption that for a young couple pair of a guy and a girl or two girls hitchhiking might go easier.
'''Hitchhiking is not allowed on highways and motorways due to safety of traffic and hitchhikers - see highway and motorway signs below. There is also forbidden entry for pedestrians. Person who leave vehicle (eg due to car failure) must be wearing a reflective vest'''. When using motorways for hitchhiking please use gas stations (service stations) where one can ask for a ride. Hitchhikers aren't protected by the driver's [[insurance]]. While it is not suggested that one hitchhike on highways or motorways, '''actual confrontations with police are rare'''. In the unlikely event that a police car does stop, it's more likely they will explain that hitchhiking is not allowed, and let you go on your way--ticketing is rare. In many of these situations, the best way to cope is to feign ignorance of the rules, and apologize when they say you have broken them.
