In reply to PPP:
Picking hitch hikers up is probably perceived as dangerous. As stated above, haulage companies often forbid drivers to give lifts. More people have access to cars. Maybe people are less reluctant to hitch as it requires a bit of commitment and the outcome is uncertain.
I have hitched in the UK, Europe and USA.
Good times -
Manchester - Cardiff in one lift on a bitter winter night dropped to my door.
Ljubljana, in what used to be northern Yugoslavia, to Athens in one lift over 3 days.
Bad times - Abroad
Getting stuck overnight (twice) and sleeping in a field.
Having a Jordanian lorry driver scheming to do me in and share my stuff out with someone else he'd picked up.
Someone threatening to pull a gun on the Greek/Turkish border.
Having an Italian male physically trying to get my trousers off.
Falling out of the back of a station wagon as the driver pulled away before I had managed to shut the trunk door.
Bad times Uk
Had lifts from someone on the run from the Police, someone moving an illegal whisky plant north to Scotland, someone smoking dope so heavily you could barely see through the windscreen.
From someone who sat so far forward in the seat that the sun visor came down behind their head. (Sorry, that one isn't true)
I drive 28k per year and offer lifts, especially to those who look committed to hitching. (Standing at convenient place to stop, showing a destination sign, climbers with rucksacks, trade plates)
Hitching has been very good to me, especially when my income was really low. People were quite interesting and some seemed to welcome my company to relieve their boredom. (Sad people)
Post edited at 23:55