Changes

'''[[Hitchhiking]] is usually very safe'''. The most encountered feelings of unsafety are probably concerning the driver's driving style. : ''See also the article on [[Hitchhiking and Pandemia|Health and Pandemia]].''

[[ImageFile:Agne-from-vilnius-to-radviliskis.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Bright clothes make it easier to be seen from a distance, which is especially necessary when hitchhiking directly on a highwaymotorway, as here in [[Lithuania]].]]

<!-- [[File:Bundespolizei AT Warnweste rueckenansicht.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Police safety vest. Consider wearing something similar at night (well, probably without the Polizei text).]] Picture is missing ~~~~ -->You should make sure you are standing along a safe portion of the road, as far back from the traveled travelled portion of the road as possible (on the unimproved portion of the road shoulder). Make sure that you are visible to drivers from a good distance (100 meters or more is ideal) to allow them time to 1) decide if they want to pick you up and 2) safely pull to the side of the road. Wear visible clothes, also while walking on the road!

SometimesWear bright, visible clothes, especially but not exclusively [[at while walking on the road! Consider wearing a bright reflecting safety vest. At night]], drivers will [[pick up time use reflectors and carry a hitchhiker]] because they are tired small torch. You can purchase these often at petrol stations and sleepy, but must get to their destination on timesupermarkets. Make sure you never fall asleep Carry these in someone's car your backpack at all times: even if you are suspecting this might be not planning to hitchhike during the casedarkness. Even if Make sure you can't find a conversation topic, stay alertare visible from both sides. If you have a driving license you might indicate Attach reflectors to your driver of this fact. In some cases he or she will be happy to let you drivebackpack for example.

The Sometimes, especially but not exclusively [[hitchhiking at night|at night]], drivers will [[picking up hitchhikers|pick up a hitchhiker ]] because they are tired and sleepy, but must get to 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 driving licence; you might indicate this to your driver; he or she may be happy to let you drive. See [[Driving for your driver]] Hitchhikers should see himself themselves as an agent agents of road safety. Only one study has ever been made on the subject of hitchhiking's impact on road safety, and it appears that it has no negative impact, if not positive. It implies that the hitchhiker should stay safe, ; be sure they can be seen , especially at night, ; remind the driver of the speed limitations, limits; and be willing to cooperate with all professionals of the road.

Awareness on the part of a hitchhiker will keep him or her from accepting dangerous rides- for example, a driver traveling travelling under the influence of [[alcohol ]] or narcotics. Examine the driver and vehicle. If there are signs of intoxication (slurred or erratic speech, no eye contact, open alcohol containers) do NOT get in the vehicle. Refuse the ride.

Talk to the driver before getting in his the car! This way you make sure the ride offered is one that you would like to take, and that it will end at a safe spot to stop. Ask the driver before getting in his/her their car: Where are you going? Can you drop me off at a service area or other safe place near your destination? A rhetoric question like "Are you going north" and the drivers driver's reaction can give you some information about him or her. Dropping humour into your brief conversation is a good way of gauging a person's personality as well. '''Trust your instincts!''' If you do not feel comfortable accepting the ride, thank the driver and say no. Walk away.

[[ImageFile:Parnu-riga.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[amylinUser:Amylin|Amylin]] hitching to [[Riga]] in the snow]]For women, hitchhiking seems to be more riskyriskier. But it is not really. Many men are reporting the same degree of violation as women. If most reported cases of murder or rape of hitchhikers involve women hitchhiking alone, it is because men are less likely to report rapes (as a product of homophobia in the world), and murders are not getting the label of "hitch-hiking-murders" as often with male victims. <!--- I think we should link to [[Pippa]] here :( ~~~~ -->

Hitchhiking as a woman can be easier though. Often, women stop for other women or girls. Even families (or other usual-not-hitch-hiker-friendly car owners) stop to "save" women from a situation in which they think she could be in "danger". As a product of sexism in the society many people think that women are more safe to take up as hitch hikers. And, possibly as a result of sexism in the society, women tend to be more safe to take up as hitch hikers.

'''You can find a specific guide about women hitchhiking Read more at the Hitchwiki page on [http://girls[Women hitchhiking|Female Hitchhikers]].hitchbase.com girls.hitchbase.com]!'''

<kaltura-widget size* [[Hitchhiking at night]] is more dangerous than at daytime. =='L' align='R' kwid(Anti) Social tips ='anp4bXoxNDhub3w2ODF8NjgxMDB8SG93IHRvIGhpdGNoIGhpa2Ugc2FmZWx5fHB5cjExNWJ1NHF8NWM1ZjgyMzUzOA==' /> * Wear well visible [[clothes]], stand at a safe spot, be careful while walking on the roadThink positive and you will attract positive.

* Some say to note Note the vehicle's registration number , or vehicle at least the make, model , and colour (, etc. You could then SMS this to a friend).* Hitchhike with someone you know. On hitchhike forums (such as at [http://www.hospitalityclub.org/hc/forum.php?SelectedCategory=25 Hospitality Club] or [http://www.digihitch.com DigiHitch]) you You can find other hitchhikerspretend calling your mum and saying car type, color and licence number aloud.* Hitchhiking at night This makes driver believe he is more dangerous than at daytimeunder surveillance.

* It is If getting in a good idea truck or car driving long-distance, maybe to where you want to go, including sleeping in the truck with the driver. Never tell yes to go all way from the beginning. Say you are going to visit a friend in a city on the way and then when you get yourself a feeling of safety with the driver tell him that you will visit your friend some other time and go all the way now.* If there are other houses or people in sight, you can wave to them or pretend to say goodbye to a friend. The driver will think that somebody has seen you getting into their car. * Always trust your instincts. ''Don't panic''!* Keep up a good conversation with the driver. See [http[etiquette]].* Hitchhike with someone you know. On hitchhike forums (such as at [https://encouchsurfing.wikipediaorg/group.orghtml?gid=12 the CS group], or [http:/wiki/Pepper_spray www.jayride.co.nz Jayride] for [[New Zealand|NZ]] you can find other hitchhikers. * It might a good idea to get yourself some [[pepper spray]], just in case. But it can be illegal to carry in some parts of the world so be aware.* Keep your backpack close Also, it might not be a good idea to use in a closed space as you (i'd get a good dose of pepper yourself.e. on your lap) There are also canisters of ''pepper gel'' which emit a stream of gel instead of a spray mist, so which could save you grab it if you need to get out quicklyin enclosed spaces. Don't use pepper spray while the car is in motion. Blinding the driver will probably result in a crash. === Stuff safety ===* Wear your '''most valuable small stuff on your body''': passport, wallet, money, mobile phone. This way you will keep these items in case you should abandon your bag.* If there are other houses or people in sight, you can wave Remember that your backpack is the last one to them or pretend enter the car and the first one to say goodbye to a friendleave it. The driver will think that somebody has seen you getting Also avoid putting it into their car.* If getting in a truck or car driving long-distance, maybe to where the trunk if you want to goare hiking alone, including sleeping in or if the truck driver has an opportunity to drive away with the driveryour luggage - though sometimes this is simply not an option. Never tell yes It's a good idea to go all way keep the door open while you get your bag from the beginningtrunk. It's actually much more likely a hitchhiker ''forgetting their own bag'' or other objects than theft. Say Better take it with you when you are going go to visit a friend in a city on the way and then rest room as when you get a feeling of safety with come back the car might be gone, even just due to the driver tell getting told to park somewhere else and now you can't find him that anymore, etc.* Keep your backpack close to you will visit (i.e. on your friend some other time and go all lap), so you can grab it if you need to get out quickly. === Road safety === * Wear well visible [[appearance|clothes]], stand at a safe spot, be careful while walking on the way nowroad.

* Always trust your instinctsDo not hitchhike on the highways in western countries.* Think positive and People will not notice you , thus they will attract positivenot pick you up and there have been accidents. Do nothing of this It is very dangerous and you might be saferoften illegal, too.

== Choose your drivers ==It is preferable to choose your drivers. You can ask Ask for rides at [[gas petrol stationhitchhiking|petrol stations]]s or truck stops. Briefly profile people by their appearance and talk to folks that seem safe/interesting. But always remember that appearances Appearances do not guarantee safety.

By seeking rides at petrol stations instead of at the roadside, you have more time to talk with drivers and evaluate their character. It may be unwise to accept rides from drivers who are stressed, angry, or demanding.[http://www.adventuresauce.com/2011/12/how-to-hitchhike/] Do not accept rides from drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs. One of the safest ones to get a lift from is the truck drivers. You sit far away from the driver. You are always able to open the door if needed (just dont don't jump wile while the truck are is moving if you like your life moving again). Big trucks in [[Western Europe]] anyway also have a sensor on there their trucks that let there their boss know exactly where they are. Going off the road or stopping for some minutes and the boss will be all over the case, calling on the phone... This is not always the case, however. In [[Australia]], truck drivers drive long distances on one lane highways and are often overworked. This can lead to dangerous driving conditions and bad experiences.

When you are on the road, if the situation gets bad for whatever reason and you don't want to be in the vehicle, then find a way to leave. Get the driver to leave you at the next good hitchhiking spot (choose it yourself, don't rely on the driver to choose it for you), or in another safe area such as a city where you can contact people you know, use hospitality exchange organisations, or take public transport. Remember that if for whatever reason you are not wearing your seatbelt and the car is moving, the driver can distract or injure you by braking so that you hit your head.

If you feel uncomfortable, remember that you don't have to stay in the vehicle, and you don't owe it to the driver to travel the full distance you agreed upon. Good get-out tactics include faking travel sickness, or stating that you've changed your mind and want to do something else. Stay calm and be polite but direct, and most drivers will respect your wishes.

First of all, don't panic. Still, a situation might occur that you want to get out of the car and the driver does not want to stop. ... '''Need more info'''...* Hand brake?Never use the handbrake. Using it will almost certainly lead to a car crash.* Cause a (small) accident?* Call emergency number ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/112_%28emergency_telephone_number%29 112 ] in EU, 911 in US, 000 in Australia, 111In New Zealand ) Note: it is now possible to text/SMS 911 in the US, and doing so may lower your chances of arousing suspicion.* Prepare to loosen your seatbelt, and wait until the driver has to stop at a red light or stop sign. When the driver stops the car slide your belt off and open the door in one motion and get you and your pack out before they have any idea what you're doing.* As an emergency safety precaution, carry a roll of toilet paper and a lighter. In the event that you feel uncomfortable and the driver refuses to stop, light the toilet paper and throw it into the back seat. The smoke and fire will encourage the driver to stop and/or alert other cars on the road.* A helpful trick if you just have a bad feeling about a ride, but not really a reason to scream for help (yet): Pretend to feel sick and tell your ride to stop immediately because otherwise you might ruin his car... when they stop, jump out of the car with your backpack, tell them not to wait and head away from the road until they're gone. ** From personal experience: Causing a small accident may do more damage than good, since the driver will most likely just speed off, anyway, rather than trying to wait around and get caught by the police. Plus, that gives you a much greater chance of being injured. Remember that no matter where you get taken, you will still have the opportunity to hitchhike out of, and thus get rescued by someone else. Plus, vehicles do require fuel, and eventually run out of it. So, you can at some point find yourself in Western Europea (very useful!)petrol station, from where you can: have contact with other people, make phone calls, lock yourself in the bathroom to avoid confrontations, and hitchhike a new ride. Your best bet is to stay calm and confident, no matter the situation. == Hitching in Extreme Climates == The climate poses an entirely separate danger to hitchhikers. As a hitchhiker you may find yourself in the situation of being stuck in an extremely hot or cold place, both of which are potentially fatal if not dealt with appropriately.=== Extreme Cold ===:''See [[Winter]] for more information.'' Driving in the cold can be particularly risky, let alone hitchhiking. If travelling a long distance, it is advisable to have a backup plan, to avoid being stuck outside at night. If there is a significant chance of being stuck outdoors for a long time, then you must take precautions. Having plenty of warm clothes, hat, gloves and thick boots are a must for the daytime. If there is a risk of being stuck outside at night, try finding a host, either on the internet prior to leaving, or else at a hostel if there is one. You should bring money with you for emergencies. If you absolutely must sleep outside, then you will need to acquire a heavy sleeping bag - a 5 season sleeping bag is not too expensive. Be sure to set up camp in a covered area - such as in a forest or under a shelter, and make sure it is sheltered from the wind. A gas lamp will also assist in heating you up. You might want to learn how to start a fire === Extreme Heat ===The extreme heat poses a great risk of dehydration and sunstroke in the summer months in many countries in the world. You absolutely must bring plenty of drinking water. Try to have no less than 4L of water with you per day. If there is a risk of being stuck in direct sunlight for a long time, bring sunscreen, and perhaps also an umbrella, particularly if there are not many trees around.

* [[One page guide to safe hitchhiking|Safety pdf]] - a project to create a one-page guide to safe hitchhiking* [http://girlswegwijzer.be/dossier/veilig-liften PDF guide about hitchhiking safety] - A complete guidebook about safety, including how to jump from a moving vehicle* [http://www.yourworldyourhome.com/hhsafe/ is Hitchhiking safe?]* [http://www.hitchbaseyoutube.com /watch?v=RxfCLJZtboY Is Hitchhiking as a femaledangerous for girls? Sharing practical tips on how to stay safe] - Guide</div>