Car safety is more than just making sure everyone is wearing their seat belts, whether you’re going for a long trip or just around the corner.
Roodepoort Police’s acting station commander, Colonel Happy Xaba, has provided some vehicle safety tips to help motorists to take care of their vehicles and be safe when travelling.
Vehicle safety tips:
• 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 while driving, and when getting out of the car. Make sure that all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your car. Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute.
• Park your vehicle in places that are well lit. Avoid parking where there are no security officers guarding other cars. Parking lots with parking attendants or supervised patrollers are best, otherwise try to park in locations that are well lit or well populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide.
• Avoid stopping in remote places.
• Do not leave your firearm in the motor vehicle’s glove compartment or anywhere in the vehicle when you park the vehicle (this is against the law). Valuable items like laptops, cameras, handbags, and briefcases should be locked in the boot of your car.
• Remove detachable radios and the radio face when getting out of the car.
• If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide, only 5 cm 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.
• Vary the route you travel to work and back, if this is possible.
• If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible or press your hooter to attract attention.
• If strangers stand or wait around without apparent purpose near or at your driveway, rather drive past. If they loiter for a long time, report them to your nearest police station.
• Car hijackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car. If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help.
• In the event of a hijacking, do not reach for your purse or valuables. Leave everything behind if forced from the car. Do not resist, especially if the thief has a weapon. Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away. Your life is more valuable than your possessions.
• A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime, but do not give strangers a lift.
• A gear lock is an affordable and a very effective anti-theft device. Try to fit an alarm and or anti-theft device in your car.
• 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.
• Be aware of people coming to you and informing you that you have a flat tyre, the intention can be to steal items that they see inside the car or steal the car itself.
• Do not open your windows for hawkers along the road and at traffic lights.
• Do not use a cellular phone unless you have a hands-free kit.
• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.
• Practice the same prevention skills you apply in parking lots or garages at home.
• Become familiar with your route before you start the trip. Get a map of the route and study it.
• Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your car, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag.
• Do not leave your keys in the ignition.
The followings aspects might trigger aggressive behaviour:
• Following too close to the vehicle in front.
• Passing vehicles on the left.
• Cutting in and out of traffic and failing to signal while engaging in multiple lane changes.
• Crossing safety markings while merging onto ramps.
• Failing to yield at ramps and intersections.
• Violating railroad crossings.
• Displaying or using a weapon.
• Displaying aggressive or obscene gestures.
• Slow moving traffic in fast lanes.
The following hints are applicable:
• Do not react to provocation.
• Stay away from erratic drivers.
• Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.
• Use your hooter sparingly.
• Do not flash your headlights.
• Do not make obscene gestures.
• Do not change lanes without using your indicator.
• Do not drive too close to the vehicle in front of you.
• Do not block lanes.
Report criminals and their activities anonymously to Crime Stop on 08600 10111, SMS Crime Stop on 32211, or call the Police Emergency Line on 10111.
