Important things to remember if hitchhiking someone in your car 5^th August 2022

Hitchhiking is not as common in India as in other western countries. Thanks to the rising safety issues and the constant reminders from our mothers on why we should not talk to strangers, hitchhiking or offering a ride to strangers is an alien concept. However, over the years, we have seen a hitchhiking trend among young travellers to save some money. But how safe is it to offer a ride to strangers? What are the things to look out for when hitchhiking someone? If these are some of the questions you have when you think of hitchhiking, then this article might be able to help you with those.

Here, we will look at some safety measures to ensure your safety in situations like these.

1. IDs and bags:
If someone has asked you for a ride and you want to help them, then the first thing to do is to check their IDs. Crack open the window slightly and take a picture of their ID on your phone. If they have bags or carry-ons, ask them to place them in the boot space with their ID in the bag. Ensuring they are empty-handed while sitting inside the car makes you less susceptible to attacks and robbery.

2. Show pockets:
Ask the hitchhiker to empty the pockets before entering the car. This way, you can ensure that the person is not carrying knives, scissors, or other equipment that can be used to attack or steal from you.

3. Keep them in your range of vision:
Never let them take the back seat. You must keep them seated where you have a clear vision of their actions. This is a crucial point to remember to ensure your safety.

4. Do not take food from them:
If they offer you food or drinks on the way, do not eat them. These can be quickly spiked using drugs that do not alter the taste of the food. Narcotics and sedatives can be used to make you unconscious. This is the leading cause of car theft in this country.

5. Do not hitchhike a group:
If you are driving alone, it is best to hitchhike solo hitchhikers. That way, even in an attack, you will need to worry about handling a single person.

6. Always be alert:
This is a no-brainer. If you want to help out a stranger, you have to be prepared for the dangers you might face. Always keep pepper spray and other tools that, when used, give you ample time to escape.

7. Do not hitchhike in new locations:
It is best to avoid getting strangers on board if you are a tourist. This is a common way of scamming people for money and other belongings. If you are new to a place, you might not be able to get immediate help and can also be unaware of escape routes.

If you want to hitchhike someone in your car, you need to keep these things in mind. Remember that not everybody is a thief or a fraud. Hitchhiking is an efficient way to cut costs while travelling, and youngsters depend heavily on hitchhiking to commute between places. Sometimes people need genuine help. If possible, provide food and water to roadside hitchhikers and call for help if you can.

On that note, take essential steps to safeguard yourself and your car against theft and vandalism and invest in a Car Insurance policy. If you do not have these essential add-ons, consider getting them during your next car insurance renewal.

Click HERE for car insurance renewal.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.