JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – “Drivers, especially women, are voicing their concern about their safety and that of their children,” says Clive Humphrey, Managing Director of ADT Security Central Region.
ADT works closely with the founder of the National Hijack Prevention Academy, Richard Brussow, in educating the community about what to do and how to react in the event of a hijacking.
“Statistics indicate that children are seldom taken in hijackings – in fact, it only happens in six out of 24 000 cases. Criminals know that when children are involved, their crime escalates to a priority crime which will attract a lot of attention; the last thing criminals want is a lot of attention,” Brussow says.
The most important thing for women travelling with children to remember is that the eldest child should always be seated behind the driver and the younger child to the left. Humphrey explains:
“If you are hijacked while your children are in the car, climb out of the vehicle slowly and move to the back door directly behind the driver’s door. Place one foot firmly in the car, on the floor behind the driver’s seat, as you lean across to retrieve the youngest child.
The eldest child will probably cling to you and you can get both children out of the car at once. Remember to stay as calm as possible. If the hijackers panic and the vehicle starts moving before you have your children out of the car, your firm footing in the vehicle will throw your body weight into the car with your children, as opposed to you being left behind and the hijackers speeding off with your children.”
WATCH: This is how Smash and Grab occurs at intersections. *Video dates back a few years but may be relevant.
Here are more helpful hijack prevention tips:
- Remember that 68 per cent of all hijackings occur close to home so be especially vigilant when pulling out of your driveway or coming home.
- If you have an electric gate, do not pull into your driveway before opening the gate. This can allow hijackers to box you in. Rather open your gate while your car is still in the road to allow a quick getaway if necessary.
- If you suspect you are being followed, put your indicator on and slow down at least two to three houses prior to your home. By doing this, you force the vehicle behind you to pass and you can then get a better idea of their intentions.
- If you need to stop in your driveway to manually open the gate, always leave the key in the ignition and the motor running unless you have a child in the car. If your child is in the car, take the key with you as you open the gate. The key is a valuable negotiating tool – the criminals want your car and you want your child.
- Always make sure you can see the back wheels of the car in front of you when you stop in the traffic. This gives you enough room to manoeuvre and escape if you have to, for whatever reason.
- Don’t fall for the “tap tap” trap where a driver taps the back of your car in traffic. They often use female drivers as decoys here. Never get out of your car on the scene to assess the damage but rather drive to a busy location. Signal to the other driver to follow you. If it is not legitimate they will seldom follow you.
- If you stay in a secure complex with security guards, do not be fooled into thinking you are safe. You can easily be followed into your complex so always remain vigilant. Research shows that most people relax the closer they get to home and this is often when they are most vulnerable.
WATCH: Hijacking incident in South Crest
What to do if you are hijacked
- The first and golden rule: Do not antagonise the hijackers. You need to show them you are not a threat.
- Lift up your arms to show you have no weapon and will surrender.
- Use your left arm to undo your seatbelt and put your car in neutral.
- Be cautious not to use your right arm to lean across your body and undo your seatbelt or unlock the door. This could be construed as you reaching for a gun.
- Do not turn off your car.
- Get out slowly and try and angle your body sideways so you are not facing a firearm head-on. Also remember to protect your head with your arms and to lift your shoulders to protect your neck area.
- Do not turn your back on the hijackers – your organs are most exposed from the back.
- Avoid direct eye contact with the hijackers but still try to take in what they are wearing, the sound of their voices, etc.
Also read the following articles:
Worst of my fears, to have this happen. I have 3 (9, 3, and 2 years old). I’m always travelling with them in the car and don’t know what I would do in this situation! I just pray that I’m able to grab all 3, the car is the least of my worries.
The first part of the article is good; the part with the information about how to make sure you get your kids out of the car and how to prevent hijacking by being alert and proactively cautious. The rest of the article seems to be telling people how to make it easier for the hijacker to take your car from you.
The premise is not to put yourself in danger for your car. Conduct anti surveillance drill to ascertain if you are being followed especially close to home. Use your older children, who are capable to assist with getting younger ones out of the vehicle. Getting children out quickly can depend the upon child seats they are in. If the child is in a bumper type seat and able to open the car door and get themselves out then put them on the passenger side so, on command you can tell them to evacuate the car so you have one less child to get out yourself.
If you are alone, it’s easy. Be aware. Get a gun. Learn how to use it, only perfect practice makes perfect, and commit to winning the fight at all costs. Be tactically aware, no one can suddenly appear at your window! Don’t text or use your phone when in your car. If you are hijacked, hit the car in front of you. More people for the bad guys to deal with. They are not interested in a fair fight. I am sick to death of being a victim! When the hell did us South Africans become so damned soft??? There are MORE of us law abiding citizens that the trash that think they can control us. FIGHT BACK. You have no guarantee that a crook can be trusted when they say ‘Give me your car and you won’t get hurt’. Enough is enough.
Hi I have twins aged 20months, ADT talk about removing younger child and older child will come to you. what do you do if they both young? last thing I want to do is get one out and walk around the car to get the other out it leave it open for hi jackers to drive off…. would it be stupid to just get into the car and remove both and then leave the car?
Y must we live live prisoners in our own neighbourhood. We need to take our Surburbs back. I live in The Hill. We decided to do something. Community members need to stand up,& join hands. Every sat, we meet @ the park opp The Hill High school. Pls if u have any ideas u would like to share with us,feel free to pop. In 9 August we planning to host a Community meeting. Lets clean up our Surburbs. Regards Sylvia Glade
Hi
I would just like to know what to do when you have a child in the back of the car? My child is 3 and can undo her seatbelt, so is it then advisable to have her undo herself and climb over the seat onto my lap so that I can get her out of the car at the same time as I get out?
Regards
natalie
I dont quiet agree with the “get out and walk to the back of the car to take your kids out” part. Different hijackers- different modus operandi. They have one thing in mind and one thing only…..Take the car and go, regardless of who and what. Walking to the back of the car is in my opinion not advisable. When the suspect tells u to get out, tell him u are going to turn around and take ur child and do it. But slowly and no sudden moves. Do not make eye contact and very important keep calm. Keep kids calm, get them out same time as u get out. Dont show panic. Slowly move away with your kids. Dont worry about your car, bag or other belongings. It can be replaced. Life is more important. After the ordeal it is also very important to see someone. Talk about it and share your feelings.For the kids also. We deal with this daily…. If u dont know who to talk to, the Emergency services usually have a Chaplan. There are also Trauma counsillors at some Police stations. A last thing….We as parents want to raise our kids as kids, carefree and without worries. I am a mother and a cop. I understand your worries. I know what is out there. Sensitise your kids, especially if they are big enough to understand. I feel every parent should in fact, although we dont want to worry them with things like this. But we have to. It could save their lives and the lives of others. An informed person make informed decisions. In this day and age……very important. Hugs.
we should legalize the gas canisters under the car a hijacker comes near you ,you push a button by your feet and well no more hijacker.It has been developed lets legalize it install in our cars .We need to stop the crime or there will be nothing left …………………..
Considering how aggressive and violent criminals are getting, I can’t help but feel that this advice only encourages them. I feel that more of us should stand up gor our rights and carry a gun. Shoot the sods! There will be fewer of them ehen their chosen profession gets dangerous…
What cars are the hijackers targeting ?
Get cars that they don’t target !
Remove yourself and family from being a target !
Why don’t we do what other countries do. Hold the politicians liable for what has happened since they have screwed up the police with political appointees who can not do the job. Sue the minister of police with a class action.
This child is dead because of Zumaites being more interested in keeping their elaborate lifestyles than governing this country. This mother is shattered because they put their children above ours. This father is devastated because we are not allowed to protect our children, but no one is protecting us from the bad guys.
Don’t tell me how to cope I. A hijacking, tell me why you are accepting we will have a hijacking?
I got hijacked in December 2008. They took everything inside and the car included but didn’t get to take me and rape me. I am only thankful I didn’t have anybody else in the car. I can thank God that I am alive because I had to make a decision whether I was going to let them take me or take a bullet. I decided a bullet would be better and got myself out the car, pushed the fun off the temple and got out the car. I simply kept my eyes closed and told them (3 adult black men 1 was armed) to wait. I did not plan is, I had no idea what I was doing and i have, to this day, not got over it. I suffer from PTS. But I got away with my life and a broken nose (the guy taking e car punched me) and I didn’t get gang raped or murdered. Not so for the woman in the BMW 30 minutes later who got killed by the same hijackers. They got caught, the car was found. I really don’t care about what they stole materially but what they really stole from me was far worse. Give me your car – your life means so much more. Do not listen to the idiots complaining that these hijacking tips make it easier for hijackers to take your car. I can’t think what I would have done if I had a child in the car but TAKE here tips and stick them into your head so, unlike me, WHEN it happens you are prepared. It may save your life.