Hijacking has become a daily occurrence, with use of force becoming more excessive resulting in serious injury and even deaths. There are two main survival principals in hijacking situations – complying with the demands of your assailants, and not to make any sudden movements.
The hijacking prevention campaign at Bluff Towers and Hillside Mall Bluff aimed to condition community members and visitors to be vigilant at all times when driving.
They issued these safety guidelines to minimise the risk of falling prey to a hijacking;
- Always travel with your windows winded up and all doors locked.
- Never talk on your mobile devise or listen to music while driving.
- Do not stop your vehicle to provide assistance to another motorist or pedestrian waving you down for assistance, drive to place that is safe and make an emergency call.
- Be extra vigilant at intersections and robots.
- Ensure your vehicle is well maintained to prevent it from breaking down. Check the water, oil and fuel levels daily.
- For optimal all-round view of your surroundings, adjust your vehicle mirrors accordingly. Do this prior to departing from your home, preferably behind closed gates or in a secure environment.
- If you are travelling to an unknown destination plan your route before departure, use a GPS or map. Also know the location of the nearest police station. Make enquiries prior to your departure of hot spot areas and avoid those areas.
- Know your vehicle registration number, make and model. This will help the SAPS to circulate your vehicle without unnecessary delay.
- A tracking device is a must. It can help SAPS find you and your family members should you be held captive in your vehicle after it has been hijacked. It also assists the SAPS in monitoring the movement of your vehicle after it has been hijacked and can assist with the recovery process.
- Always keep your electronic mobile device fully charged, close to you and switched on when travelling. Ensure that you download security software on all your electronic mobile devices, remembering your user name and password. This can assist the SAPS in locating them. Also upload a panic alarm system which will enable you to press an alert function on your device, which will inform the receiver that you are in trouble and your location will be known.
Captain Louise Le Roux is thanked for the distribution of 1,000 brochures during the campaign. The police also thank their partners Hillside Mall Bluff and Bluff Towers for affording them the platforms to host this pre-festive season communications initiative.
