I was loath to get into this thread until a recent post (well-intentioned,
I'm sure. Flamethrowers off) seemed  to advise women against solo travel.
Life well-lived ensures risk.
We are each responsible for our own assessment of risk and appropriate safety
measures.  Key word here is responsibility.
Anyone alone on the road is a potential target. Do your own calculations as
to whether an old shabby (possibly unreliable) low value vehicle is safer
than a newer more valuable one. I have a 1981 Volvo wagon and an '89 Westy.
Am I more/less likely to be victimized as a middle-aged woman than when I was
30 years younger?  Are older males at less risk than younger?  Factor in
older =wiser=weaker vs. youth =strength=less experienced=more attractive for
BOTH genders . Go on, make yourself nuts until afraid to go anywhere!
     Common sense, that increasinly rare commodity, rules.
Know how to keep the van running, have communications capacity. Use this list
to make an itinerary of folks who will know where you are. Follow your gut
instinct. Studies on assault indicate that women who ignore a sense of
uneasiness shouldn't.  When in doubt, don't leave your van. (Carry a bucket!)
Travel with joy and caution, remembering that MOST FOLKS ARE DECENT.
CarolS Sussman
Formerly:
safety officer, construction
Emergency Medical Technician
Assistant to the Atlantic County Medical Examiner (assisted in 500+ autopsies)
SCCA racer of several MGB's
currently travel with a big black dog so I don't need to display/use the .38.
(NO, I do not want to re-energize the gun thread on or off this list.)