HIJACKING seems to have become more and more of a threat of late.
In addition, Dialdirect Insurance reports that there has been a sudden rise in ‘blue-light’ hijackings, where hijackers, disguised as police, use blue flashing lights to stop and hijack motorists.
Here are some tips to help stop yourself from becoming another statistic:
1 Stay alert. It’s easy to get distracted when you’re travelling the same route every day. Make sure you keep your eyes on the road and notice your surroundings.
2 If you’re travelling to an area you know to be unsafe, keep a spare, cheap phone on you. Load it with some airtime, save a few emergency contacts onto it and turn it off to make the battery last. If your car and valuables are stolen, you will still be able to call for help.
3 Mix up your routes. Use your GPS to try different roads home to throw off any criminals ‘casing’ your home or your car.
4 Invest in an electric gate. Many hijackings and home invasions happen just as you are entering or leaving your home. Having a well-lit driveway and an electric gate (preferably one that can switch to battery power during load-shedding) can help you get in and out quickly and safely.
5 In traffic, leave enough room between your car and the one in front to avoid being boxed in.
6 Adjust your speed when approaching traffic lights so that you do not have to come to a complete stop for long (if at all).
7 If you think you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or another safe, public place. Don’t go home.
8 At unusual or unexpected roadblocks, keep windows closed and doors locked and ask for the police or traffic officer’s identity card.
9 When driving home alone, always phone ahead to give a relative or friend your estimated time of arrival.
10 Get to know your neighbours and the cars they drive. This will help you identify any vehicles which do not belong in your area.
