In South Africa, car hijackings are at an all-time high, therefore drivers must exercise extreme caution in order to avoid becoming victims of this epidemic.
Here are some helpful hints for keeping you and your vehicle safe at all times:
Take a different path to and from your destinations. Attempt to find alternatives as much as possible, as syndicates may be looking for a trend in your driving.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Pre-plan your journey before getting in the car to reduce the chances of needing to pull over to the side of the road or ask for instructions.
You must be aware of high-risk crime and vehicle hijacking locations in addition to knowing where you're going. Even if the shortest or quickest route to your destination takes you through a risky area, avoid these at all costs.
Always keep your doors locked and your windows rolled up.
The importance of space in averting hijackings cannot be overstated. Maintain a half- to full-car length distance between you and the vehicle in front of you at all times. In the event of a hijacking attempt, this might be your escape route.
The majority of hijackings occur in driveways and in front of homes. Create a homebound approach that you'll stick to as soon as you're within a certain distance of your home. You improve your vigilance by turning down the radio and scanning your side and rear-view mirrors more frequently as you get closer to your destination.
Before exiting the vehicle, check all of your mirrors to get a better sense of your surroundings.
Sitting in a parked vehicle is dangerous, especially if you're reading or talking on your phone. Because your focus is diverted, you become an easy target.
Picking up hitchhikers or strangers is never a good idea. If you observe someone who may require roadside assistance, call the cops or the metro cops to come and help.
You want to do everything you can to protect the vehicle and your own safety, whether you're driving your own car or a fleet vehicle.
