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Passerby concerned about why two women are hitchhiking on Route 19

By Howard B. Owens

A deputy has been asked to check on two young women hitchhiking on Route 19 near Parmalee Road, Le Roy.

The deputy asked, "Is there a problem with them?"

The dispatcher replied, "The caller was concerned for their reason for hitchhiking."

Elizabeth Downie

It shouldn't matter if there is a "problem with them" or not... hitchhiking is illegal in NYS and it should be checked out. Plain and simple.

Sep 14, 2013, 1:20pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

I think that it is NOT illegal in NY except on the thruway or expessways, but I don't have the NY Penal Law book right now......I'm sure another brother will post the actual law. Either way, it should be checked out, if for no other reason than the safety of the "young women"

Sep 14, 2013, 2:06pm Permalink
Bob Harker

I hitchhiked across the country (both ways) when I was 15. Met lots of great people and saw lots of great things that I later showed my wife and daughter. I also learned of so many people's views on life that helped shape my own outlook. Somethings cannot be learned by reading a book.

Yes, of course there risks - both for the hitchhiker and for the driver. If everything that involved risk were deemed "illegal" we''d never be allowed to get out of bed!

Sep 14, 2013, 2:07pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

The year I graduated from high school (81) I hitch hiked the thruway using signs with the names of the next city down the road. I would sit on the guard rail at an entrance and I never had problems getting rides. I found a lot of times it was business people or military guys traveling long distances. I met some really cool people and had a few scary encounters. I'm glad I lived carefree like that for a brief window of my life.

Sep 14, 2013, 4:27pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

NYS VTL

S 1157. Pedestrians soliciting rides, or business. (a) No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, or to solicit from or sell to an occupant of any vehicle.

So, next time you want to hitchhike, folks, stand off the roadway (on the shoulder) or if on the roadway, pull up a chair and sit!

Sep 14, 2013, 6:27pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

Thanks for the carification Howard!
And on a side note, I had a friend from high school, he hitchicked all over ~ once to Alaska and once to Hawaii ~ he really did! The story goes, he hitchicked from Batavia, to San Fransico, and then stowed away on a boat headed to Hawaii!

Sep 14, 2013, 7:08pm Permalink
Rex Lampke

When I was young I read Jack Kerouac's On The Road and it set a wonderlust in me !
My best friend and I hitched across the US down into Mexico and up to Canada one summer. I have to say it was one if not the best summer I have ever had . We ran into a couple of scary times , Mostly this one pervert but mostly it was some of the neatest people you could ever want to meet.

Sep 16, 2013, 11:06am Permalink

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