This is how you can prevent a smash-and-grab incident
Just like hijack-incidents, smash-and-grab incidents are on the rise. Unfortunately if you live in South Africa and drive around a lot, especially in certain areas, getting robbed while sitting in your car is very likely. Here are some very worthy tips from OUTsurance to prevent a smash-and-grab incident from happening to you:
1. Always keep all doors locked.
2. Never open your windows or get into discussions with street vendors or anyone handing out flyers.
3. Do not leave your handbag, cellphone or anything of value in plain sight.
4. Always be conscious of your surroundings and remain alert when coming to an intersection or stopping your vehicle.
5. If it’s late at night, slow down well in advance so that the light changes green by the time you reach the intersection.
6. Keep an eye out for any obstacles on the road (e.g. tyres or rocks). Note: Do not get out of your car to remove these.
7. Leave a gap between you and the car in front of you to give you room to escape (i.e. drive away from the scene), if anything should happen.
8. Be especially wary whenever you see broken glass lying on the road. If the pieces of glass are still scattered across the road, chances are that a smash and grab occurred just recently.
9. If you don’t have smash and grab film installed, leave your window open slightly (approximately 3 cm, but less than 5 cm) whilst driving. This makes the glass more flexible and more resistant against shattering if they’re struck by a sharp object.
10. Fit your window with protective smash and grab film.
You can also read about other safety tips for women while driving and anti-hijack tips.