Just a comment on the people not opening their doors or being a bit rude. I would say that the op was overheated and exhausted and probably looked a bit crazed and dazed. It is unfortunate, but it was probably safer for people not to answer the door. If I found that my wife had given a stranger a ride I would be very upset. It is not a matter of being rude, but being safe.
Yes, the percentages are against something ever happening if my wife picks up someone and our media hypes the horrific cases, but that protective fear has been instilled.