Thanks for the welcome Lifey. Yep, joined a while ago when we started doing our trips using tools and advice from the forums and articles here. Thought it was time to start giving back.

I do agree with you that rest stops can be dangerous. However, in our case we feel pretty comfortable with how we approach them. Both the wife and I were in the Marine Corps (lot's of self defense and weapons/tactics training), we always have a weapon within reach (pistol/knife/hiking stick, etc. and know how to use them) and we are PARANOID...but in a good way. We check out the whole area to include the bathrooms and other hidey holes for possible bad guy hiding spots before we even think about bedding down for the night. Additionally, we trust NO ONE! Probably a lot more than other's would do, but it works for us and our style of travel. We like to be in a different place every day or so and dropping $$$ on a KOA, motel, etc. for a few ZZZ's just kills the budget. Spending 20-30 minutes walking around looking at the area and giving ourselves a tactical advantage works for us. Rest stops are really a last resort (because of the aforementioned paranoia that I mentioned and the cases you mentioned), but if you are prepared, they are a cheap (FREE) option.