Don’t be a victim

Do you drive a bakkie, entry-level sedan, 4×4 or luxury vehicle? According to SA police and vehicle-tracking statistics, from a hijacking point of view these are high-risk cars. But, even if you don’t drive one of these, it pays to be on guard. The Automobile Association (AA) says you should be especially careful in your driveway as its findings show that more than half of all hijackings occur at or near drivers’ homes.

‘It’s imperative that you are aware of your surroundings, and take note of suspicious vehicles or individuals when travelling to and from residential areas,’ says AA spokesperson Gary Ronaid. Forget about bracketing your driveway with pretty shrubs as they provide the perfect hiding spot for hijackers. Instead, ensure that your driveway lights up at night like fireworks in the US on 4 July.

‘Installing an electric gate with an intercom buzzer that’s easily reached from the car also means you or your guests can enter and exit the property without getting out of the car,’ he says. He recommends you constantly watch what’s going on around you, and check in your rear-view and side mirrors. ‘This way you’ll be aware of any suspicious vehicle that’s been following you. If you think you are being followed, don’t pull into your driveway; instead, drive around the block. If the vehicle is still behind you, drive to the nearest police station,’ he says.

When driving late at night, be aware of dodgy characters loitering near traffic lights or stop streets. If you feel unsafe, run the traffic light, bearing in mind that this comes with its own set of risks and should not be done unless you truly feel threatened and there is no oncoming traffic.

Be alert to the unconventional methods that hijackers today are adopting to entice motorists out of their vehicles. Common tactics include cable-tying gates shut, throwing eggs or other substances at the windscreen to obscure the drivers vision, staging minor ‘accidents’ and leaving objects in the road. ‘If you are ever in any doubt about an incident, ‘says Ronald, ‘don’t stop! Rather, keep on driving, and call your security company or the police from your car to notify them, and let them do the follow-up.’