Carjacking is the serious crime of stealing a motor vehicle while the driver is in the car. A driver can reduce the risk of being carjacked by keeping alert, avoiding dangerous situations, being aware of dangerous places, driving defensively and keeping the car locked. The Police also offer advice on what to do and what not to do, to avoid being carjacked. The driver should heed this advice.
Stay Alert To Avoid Being Carjacked
The driver should keep alert, at all times. Carjackers can strike anywhere and at any time.
Realise that any place where a driver must stop the car is particularly dangerous, especially if the driver remains in the car with the engine running. Three places where a driver may stop without switching off the engine are: at stop signs, at red lights and in front of electronic gates in his or her driveway.
How To Prevent A Carjacking In Your Driveway
There may be electronic gates in the driveway. The advantage of electronic gates is that the driver can remain in the locked car while the gates open. However the great danger is that there is a delay while the gates open. During this delay the driver is sitting in the car with the engine running. This presents the carjacker with an ideal opportunity.
The best protection against driveway carjacking is for the driver to stay fully alert and watch the area around the gates. If the driver sees anything suspicious he or she should not attempt to drive into the driveway but rather drive off.
In South Africa where carjacking and crime is a very serious problem, a private security company can provide an armed escort right to the front door of the driver's house. The driver would do well to make use of such a service if carjacking is endemic in the area.
Carjacking Dangers At Red Traffic Lights And Stop Signs
It is compulsory for the driver to stop at a red traffic light or stop sign. This means the car is stationary with the engine running. This presents a good opportunity for the carjacker.
When approaching a red light the driver has the option of slowing down to give the traffic light time to turn green. The driver is then able to keep moving. This option is, of course, not available when coming up to a stop sign.
Often the driver approaching the stop sign or red traffic light will be forced to stop because another vehicle ahead has already stopped. If this happens the driver should stop far enough behind the vehicle to keep open an escape route, left or right, to use if he or she suddenly anticipates being carjacked.
Do Not Invite Carjacking
A driver should never draw a large sum of money from an outside Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and then go straight to his or her vehicle and drive home. Carjackers watch for this situation and then follow the driver home and carjack the driver in his or her own driveway, while the electronic gates are opening.
Failing to lock all the doors of the car makes it easy for the carjacker to get into the car. Some cars, for example late model BMWs, have automatic locking as the car pulls off.
It is also very important to keep the windows up. This makes it slightly more difficult for the carjacker to get a firearm close to the driver.
The Bottom Line Is: Constant Vigilance Reduces The Risk of Carjacking
The driver must be alert at all times to the possibility of carjacking. Use of common sense is essential. The adage "Forewarned is Forearmed" is especially true for the driver seeking protection against carjacking.
Sources
- The SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE, Department of Police. Crime Prevention: Safety Tips - Car Hijacking - saps.gov.za - Site accesssed 9 November 2009.
- US DEPARTMENT OF STATE - TRAVEL.STATE.GOV Travel Warnings/Travel Alerts, South Africa - Site accessed 9 November 2009.
- Great Britain: Foreign and Commonwealth Office - fco.gov.uk - Travel and living abroad - Site accessed 9 November 2009.
- OSAS - osac.gov -The Overseas Security Advisory Council. Bureau of Diplomatic Security - US Department of State - South Africa 2009 Crime and Safety Report as at 3 August 2009 - Site accessed 9 November 2009.
- Arrive Alive South Africa - arrivealive.co.za - Winner of SA Guild of Motoring Journalists' Award for 2007 -Hijacking Facts and Hijack Prevention - Site accessed on 9 November 2009.
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