At worst it can be a traumatic, life-changing event or even deadly. At best, it can be frightening and inconvenient. All of these consequences are magnified if you're the victim of a crime on the road. Physical assaults are rare and are usually committed by someone the victim knows, so exposure to that risk drops when you're around strangers. The bad news is that you may feel more vulnerable when you're in unfamiliar surroundings and your attention is focused on getting the job done.
Thieves consider travelers to be good targets.
Though most people take precautions every day to stay safe, they often let their guards down when they're on the road. Travelers tend to get caught up in dealing with stressful details and forget to pay attention to what's going on around them. Leave yourself plenty of time to be alert and aware. Note who is around you and what they are doing. Avoid isolated areas.