The author of this story is absolutely right about not hitchhiking in America. First off, it is illegal and surefire way to get picked up by the cops, who will accuse you of something - either selling drugs, or being a prostitute, or planning on raping whoever picks you up, etc. If you DO manage to get picked up before the cops spot you, there is a very strong possibility that the person who picked you up is dangerous, because normal Americans don't trust anyone. You are managed with fear tactics. Your entertainment is mostly cops & robbers type tv shows and movies, and your news becomes fascinated with any child that's missing - even if they have to keep dragging up cases that happened a decade ago to keep you scared. You've managed to disprove the adage, "Better safe than sorry" with extreme paranoia - so naturally VERY few sane Americans will hitchhike, or pick up a hitchhiker. Other nations that aren't drowning in fear campaigns by their media (gangs, drugs, terrorists, pedophiles, etc.) still have normal lives where their fellow citizens are trusted.