 1. Location
- The most important factor of getting a ride is your location. Find the place where it will be easy for drivers to see you and they will have time to decide to pick you up. There should be not much traffic in that place, so it will be easier for drivers to pull over.
- Try to catch a ride from the edge of town, as it’s very hard to stop somebody in downtown. Check map to find a good place.
- Always ask to be dropped off close to the highway. In case you get to the center of the town, it will be difficult for you to get back out. Good places to catch a ride are commercial rest areas, public highway on ramp, land borders, gas stations, and roadside picnic areas.
2. Attracting a ride
- Ask around. When people see that you are friendly, they will be more likely to give you a ride.
- Learn some gestures which are used locally to stop the car. The “thumb up” sign does not work in all states and countries. An outstretched waving arm is a better-known sign. Drivers also may give some signs, for example, pointing downwards with the index finger or a swirling motion with a downward pointed finger means that driver is staying in town. Nod or wave thanks to everybody who give you gestures or at least eye contact. Sometimes happens, that drivers can come back and pick you up after they have seen your fear.
- Keep in mind that solitary male drivers are more likely to give you a ride than female one.
- Wear bright-colored clothes, to be seen easily.
- Use cardboard signs with the designation of your direction.
- Stay happy even when people react filthily.
- Look neat and respectable. Do not smoke in somebody else’s car.
- Drivers usually are favorable to those carrying military-style sacks. It is easy to recognize such sacks and they can incite interest from drivers.
3. Ride choice.
- In case you are waiting for a long time, and all the cars that want to give you a ride go to a wrong direction, it will be good to let them take you anywhere, probably to a better spot.
- If it’s possible, try to agree beforehand where you will be dropped off, to avoid some future misunderstanding.
4. Stay safe.
- Be careful with the choice of who you get a ride with. If you have even light doubts it is better to refuse, ask where the driver is going and than tell that you are heading elsewhere.
- If you have a chance – hitchhike with a friend.
- It is more dangerous to be picked up by a car with many passengers.
- Seat at the front seat. If you have to seat at the back, check either the child lock is off before you close the door (child lock on - means that the door can’t be opened from the inside).
- Try not to put your bag to the trunk, it is better to keep it next to you.
- If you have a mobile phone, send your friends message with the number, color and other accessible information about the car you are picked up by.
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