Safety awareness when parking or driving your vehicle

Hijacking and car thefts are the most common crimes there are, however, Parkview Police Station‘s Captain Tintswalo Sibelo has your back on how you can avoid having your car stolen or hijacked.

• Avoid parking your vehicle where there are no security officers guarding other cars
• Do not leave your firearm in the car’s glove compartment (cubbyhole) or anywhere in the vehicle when you park the vehicle (this is against the law)
• Make sure all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your car
• Valuable items such as laptops and cameras should be put in the boot of your car
• Be aware of people coming to you and informing you that you have a flat tyre; the intention can be to steal items they see inside the car or rob your car
• Always close your windows when driving in the city centre
• Do not open your windows for hawkers along the road, nor at traffic lights
• Keep the doors locked and windows closed at all times
• Do not use a cellular phone unless you have a hands-free kit
• Lock your valuables in the car’s boot before departure
• At night, park in well-lit areas
• 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
• Store luggage in the car’s boot where it is out of sight
• Do not leave your goods or valuables visible in the car
• Do not leave your handbag or briefcase visible in the car
• Do not leave your keys in the ignition
• Always lock the doors and close the windows when getting out of the car
• Remove detachable radios and the radio faces when getting out of the car
• Try to fit an alarm and/or anti-theft device in your car
• Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your car, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag.

Parking lots with a parking attendant, or supervisors or someone patrolling, seem to be the best parking spaces. Otherwise, try to park in locations that are well lit and/or well populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide.

Have you ever been a victim of a hijacking? Send your story to koketsor@caxton.co.za

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