Douglasdale Police Station communications officer, Captain Mpho Tshetlhane shared safety awareness tips to follow while driving:
- Ensure that your vehicle is in a good condition when you plan to go on a journey
- Ensure that the fuel tank of your vehicle always has sufficient fuel
- Always lock your vehicle’s doors and keep the windows closed
- Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute
- Avoid stopping at remote places
- Park your vehicle in places that are well lit
- If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide – 5cm is enough to have a discussion
- If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather be rude and drive away
- Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you.
“It is important for community members to know not to reach for their purse or valuables when forced from a car, they should rather leave everything behind. Your life is more valuable than your possessions,” Tshetlhane said.
She added that community members should not resist, especially if the criminal has a weapon. “Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away.”
Tshetlhane said joining a lift club limited the risk of becoming a victim of crime. “It also important for community members not to give strangers a lift. They need to be vigilant as to who gets in their car.”
When parking your car at home, a gear lock is an affordable and a very effective anti-theft device. “If possible, put up a mirror against the front wall of your garage to see if someone is following you into the garage. Do not open your garage doors before your gates are closed.”
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