Then why should taxi companies have to pay for licences and special insurance? Heard about the uber driver recently murdering someone, not that regular taxi drivers are the most trustworthy people but at least there is someone who has their name and address not just what he put on the computer. Why not just hitchhike and stick your thumb out? The world is no less safe than it ever was and most folk wont try to get ya, ask the long distance cross country people. Maybe something about someone going across america people can sense you're on an adventure and you're probably fairly outgoing and open to strangers yourself in that situation. Similar things going on with hotels and house sharing. I remember hearing be careful with roommates. Once they're in they can be hard to kick out and are under no obligation to leave in a timely fashion or pay you any back fees. It's one thing to get a judgement saying yes a person awes you it is another to get the government to go into their account or garnish their wages to pay you. You can report them to a credit agency for trashing your house and staying for 6 months but you will never see any money.