BEWARE: Hijacking hotspots

Motorists are warned of Johannesburg hijacking and smash-and-grabbing hotspots.

Many areas are seriously affected by crime on the roads especially by congested off-ramps and traffic light intersections. Wheels24 recently released a list of the worst hotspots in Johannesburg.

Here are some of the hotspots:

•  The corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and St Andrews
• The Beyers Naudé off-ramp off the N1 highway
• Rivonia off-ramp off the N1 highway in Sunninghill
• The intersection of Grayston Avenue and Rivonia and the intersection of Grayston Avenue and 11th Street
• 11th Avenue and Empire Road off-ramps
• The Jan Smuts Avenue/ William Nicol Drive split in Hyde Park
• Intersections on Witkoppen Road
• The intersection between Christiaan de Wet and Wilgerood roads in Roodepoort
• Louis Botha Avenue, the M11. Be aware at the traffic lights, especially between Hillbrow and Alexandra
• Riviera off-ramp coming off the M1
• 11th Avenue in Fairland, near Fairland Ext 6
• N1 Highway and 14th Avenue intersection
• Hans Schoeman bridge that runs over the N1 Highway
• William Nichol off-ramp coming off the N1 highway.

Honeydew police spokesperson Captain Balan Muthan, offered the community safety tips whether your vehicle is moving or stationary, bear the following in mind:

•  Don’t leave your cellphone or other valuables where they are visible in the car. This will attract thieves who may break your car window. Lock all valuables in the boot of your car or behind the seat if it is a bakkie
• Lock all your doors and close all the windows. Thieves steal handbags and other valuables by opening car doors or even breaking windows while the car is stationary at traffic lights or stuck in slow-moving traffic
• Be constantly on the lookout for suspicious-looking characters. Do not hesitate to report them to the police
• When approaching a red traffic light at night, slow down so that you can only reach it when it turns green
• Be wary of people standing at traffic lights or intersections
• Never open your vehicle window or door for any stranger
• If you encounter obstacles in the road like rocks and tyres, do not get out of your vehicle to remove them. Rather reverse and drive in the opposite direction
• Thieves target car parks. Always park your car in attended parking lots
• When parking at night, ensure that you always park in a well-lit area
• Never sit in your vehicle without being conscious of your surroundings
• Sleeping in a stationary vehicle is particularly dangerous
• Always remove radios, CDs or cassette players, if possible
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, not even for a moment. Let them accompany you
• Exercise safety while going about your activities.

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