Domnic Fernandes wrote in his Traffic Safety Tips:
"KNOW AND OBEY THE LAW .... Don't pick up hitchhikers."
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Dear Domnic,
Though I agree with all your other Traffic Safety Tips I think this particular one is ridiculous. Since when is picking up hitchhikers against the law anyway?
In 1990 I purchased my first 2 wheeler (Yamaha RX 100). Before that I was dependent on Goa's pathetic public transportation system. During that period I have hitched lifts hundreds of times. Most often when I missed the last bus home (which is very early in Goa) or when a bus broke down and I would be late to college or work. The kindness of strangers made up for the serious deficiencies in Goa's public transportation. As a rule now I never refuse a lift to someone who asks for it.
I seriously think that we should give lifts whenever asked. Exceptions of course should be made for obviously intoxicated or suspicious looking people.
In fact I have met quite a few interesting people in my many years of lift giving. And I guess I've helped hundreds of people reach their destinations. In fact I think it is selfish to refuse to give a person a lift and keep a pillion seat or a car seat vacant. And environment unfriendly too!
Cheers!
Cecil
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