Is hitch-hiking too dangerous?

[Tam K]

as soon as i finish college, im planning to hitch-hike with a friend probably around europe and maybe even in america.. but some have warned me about the dangers of doing so. how safe is it really? would u or would u not recommend it and why?

[Dawn]

I wouldn't do it, my friend was trying to hitchhike to Winnipeg once and she got a ride with this guy. The guy who was driving her wanted her to pay him back with oral sex but she refused & then he pulled over and started to beat her with one of those things you change a tire with.
She was lucky this person pulled over and stopped him.

[educator4kids]

I would never get in a car with someone I didn't know and trust because that would be putting my safety in the control of a perfect stranger, which is not the best idea. I was going to say watch Hostel and see if you still want to hitch-hike in Europe, but I see someone beat me to that! Besides the obvious dangers, I wouldn't suggest it because it is illegal in some places and people nowadays aren't likely to pick up a stranger for the same safety issues. You may have to walk for miles and wait forever for someone to pick you up. The danger isn't just in riding with a stranger- you can get hit by a traveling car that might not see you on the side of the road, especially at night, or if you are having to wait or walk a lot in the hot summer sun, heat stroke is a possibility. None of that sounds too fun to me. If I were you, I would definitely find a safer and more secure way to travel. See if you can get a large group together and do a tour of some sort. Splitting the cost among a group can save you money without risking your safety. You might also try reading some of those travel books that tell you how to visit places on a budget. If you aren't able to get where you want to go without thumbing it, I would go somewhere closer to home or not go at all. Your safety is more important.