Who picks up hitch hikers?

Does anyone even do that anymore? I grew up in a rural area, and people did pick up hitch hikers back then...it was a very different time. But after a number of murderer found their victims this way, and a bunch of movies highlighted the dangers of hitch hiking, and picking up hitch hikers, I thought people stopped. I've noticed a number of people thumbing for a ride recently and wondered if they had any luck getting picked up. I wonder where these people are going, and why they aren't afraid of someone who isn't afraid to stop and pick up a total stranger off the side of the road. Thoughts?