Spot a hijacker
Chances are you're not going to spot a hijacker until he pulls a gun on you. Here's how to be savvy.
In Part One of our article on hijacking, we wrote about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a hijacking while getting to your car, while driving, and whole parking or getting to your destination. Here, we discuss general hijacker behaviour, tips to keep you even safer, and what to do if you are hijacked.
KNOW THIS ABOUT HIJACKERS | TIPS TO KEEP YOU SAFE | WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE HIJACKED
KNOW THIS ABOUT HIJACKERS
You might not spot an attacker - but it doesn't mean he's not there. Or, you may be too trusting of strangers:
Be suspicious of strangers approaching you, asking for help, money, job seekers or selling things.
Hijackings can take place when dropping or picking up children.
Hijackers may try to force a driver off the road with another vehicle.
Hitchhikers, stranded motorists and particularly strangers trying to stop you for any reason should be avoided at all costs, they could be potential hijackers.
Perpetrators might hide underneath your car, so check your vehicle when approaching it.
Hijackers are aware that people coming home from work are tired and not as alert, therefore they are more likely to risk an attack between 17h00 and 21h00.
The majority of hijacking incidents (80.2%) occur in the inner city or central business district. Other significant locations are private residential properties (4.7%) and public residential spaces (7.0%).
Hijackins occur on each day of the week, reaching a high on Fridays, due to motorists being more relaxed and traffic increasing earlier on a Friday.
TIPS TO KEEP YOU SAFE
When driving alone and at night keep your car in first gear when stopping at a traffic light, it's easier to speed off if you find yourself in a dangerous situation.
When driving, keep your cell phone and belongings out of sight and make sure that anything you need to store in the car is already in the right place before you get to your destination. It's easy for perpetrators to take advantage of someone scratching in the boot or packing things away.
If someone bumps you from behind and you don't feel safe, don't stop but indicate that he/she follows you to the nearest police station.
Wind your window down about 2-3cm while driving - if someone attempts to smash it, the window is less likely to break and more likely to absorb the sudden impact.
If you have children in the car, take the key with you when parked and opening a driveway gate. If you're confronted by a hijacker/s, use the key as a "negotiating tool," you want the children and they want the vehicle.
With older children, have them exit the car with you when opening the gate. In this way you will all be separated from the car if a hijacking takes place.
Never keep any forms of identification, or information that relates to your home, address, etc, in your car. Always keep your car key on a separate ring. You don't want the hijacker to have more than your car.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE HIJACKED
Recognise that your personal safety and that of your passengers is the most important thing – surrender your vehicle, personal possessions and bank information willingly to try to minimise the risk of death or injury;
Obey instructions, do not offer anything that has not been requested and answer any questions truthfully;
Do not make any sudden movement or reach for anything without warning – the attackers may think you have a gun;
Tell the hijackers where to find what they want rather than reaching for things;
Try to remember what the hijackers look like and details of their car, if they are using one;
First phone the SA Police Service on 08600 10111. They will dispatch the medical services if needed. Other emergency numbers you could phone are 112 ANY Network (Vodacom + MTN + Cell C) or 147 Vodacom only.
For more information, visit Arrive Alive's Hijacking page, or Hijack.co.za of the National Hijack Prevention Academy.
Image credit: Richard from the National Hijack Prevention Academy demonstrates how to exit from a vehicle in the least threatening manner to a student of the academy (holding a gun). Photo by Lisa Skinner, Beeld.
- Women24