Driver and Vehicle Safety

Vehicle theft , 'car-jacking' or 'hi-jacking' as it is more commonly known in Africa is a worldwide affliction.The following words of advice are intended to protect you and your fellow travellers from what is sadly an international phenomenon.

Travel wisely and make these rules applicable when you travel anywhere in the world not only in KZN or South Africa.Remember, like anywhere else in the world, your safety is strongly dependent on you..

1. Park your vehicle in a well-lit area.

2. Don't leave your parcels on the seat.

3. Have your keys ready to unlock the car when approaching.

4. Always know where you are going.

5. Ensure that you always have enough gas/petrol in the car.

6. Always check your car before entering, making sure no one is inside.

7. Fasten your seatbelt, lock your doors, and only leave your windows open about 5cm.

8. Never display your valuables in the car eg: handbags, clothes, cellphones. Lock them in the boot.

9. Never pick up strangers or hitchhikers.

10. Don't stop at a body or a seemingly injured person lying on the road. Rather drive on.

11. Don't stop to relieve yourself alongside the highway or any stretch of road. Rather, wait till a petrol station that provides ablution facilities.

12. Do NOT use your cellphone while driving, unless you have a 'hands free' kit.

13. Always be alert at gates, driveways or garages.

14. Don't stop to eat or rest on any roadside.

15. Don't stop to change a flat tyre in a lonely or quiet area.

16. Don't get out of your car if bumped from behind under suspicious circumstances.

17. Ensure that the car you drive or hire has a good alarm system.

18. Make sure your vehicle is mechanically sound to prevent breakdowns in high-risk areas.

19. Always keep a lookout for potential hijackers to allow time for a plan of action.

20. Always park your vehicle where there is a guard.

21. Repair broken windows or locks timeously.

22. Try to time traffic lights so that your car always remains on the move.

23. Don't get boxed in at traffic lights or stop streets.

24. Be alert when leaving and approaching driveways.

25. Never leave children unattended in a vehicle.

26. Keep valuables out of sight.

27. For better vision, reverse into parking bays.

28. Be on the lookout for people on bridges who may want to throw projectiles at your vehicle as you pass under.

29. When driving through urban, industrial or suburban areas lock doors and close windows.

zoom Members of KZN's Elite Anti-hijacking Unit

COMMON HIJACKING METHODS:

1. Attempting to open your car door after parking your car in a lonely, badly lit street or spot; hijackers pounce on you, usually approaching you from behind your car.

2. A very common hijacking hotspot is at stop- streets, traffic lights and traffic intersections. Hijackers sometimes disguise themselves as street vendors. That friendly guy at the stop street pretending to sell newspapers could just be a hijacker waiting for an opportunity to strike. Further, the well dressed gentlemen making gestures which imply that one of your car bumpers are damaged, or your door is not closed properly or that one of your tyres is flat is possibly a hijacker trying to get you to stop your vehicle and to open your door.

3. Another method employed at these places involves hijackers feigning being bumped or knocked over by your car. If you are in the slightest bit uncomfortable with the situation, drive to the nearest police station and report the incident. Check database for a complete list of police stations in the areas you may be driving through.

4. Hijackers overpower motorists at petrol stations and snatch the keys from startled attendants.It is safer to patronise service stations during normal hours ( 8 am to 5pm ) and busy periods when incidents like this are least likely to occur. Furthermore, always go to petrol stations that are perceived to be safer than others.

5. Hijackers follow drivers who had filled up at petrol stations and hold them up at gunpoint outside their homes. Always check to see if you're being followed from anywhere, not only the petrol station!

6. Hijackers also feign accidents by nudging a vehicle in the rear. When the victim gets out of the car to inspect the damage to the car, they jump into the empty car – sometimes taking, by force, the hapless victim/s with them.

If your instincts make you feel even a little uncomfortable with the situation, carry on driving till you come to the nearest police station in the area. Check database for comprehensive list and addresses of police stations in areas that you may be traveling through. Do not attempt to drive to your hotel or your friend's place. Your safest choice is the police station.

7. Prime hijacking times are between 6 to 8 am and 6 to 8 pm, and after schools close around 12 to 3pm. These times, however are not written in stone. Hijackers can pounce at ANY time. It is your duty and responsibility to yourself, your family , your friends and fellow travellers to be alert at ALL times.

8. Most of the hijackings in urban areas last year, occurred in the driveways of residential or commercial properties.Be extremely careful when leaving or arriving at your hotel, your lodge or a friend's or relative's place.

9. If you see a body lying on the left side of the road like he/she was run over, swerve to the right and keep driving. Hijackers (and their accomplices, who lie in wait on the side of the road) sometimes use this ploy to attack unsuspecting motorists. Even when you see two bodies lying on the road, it is far safer to carry on driving and to later report the incident to the nearest police station.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE HIJACKED

1. Surrender your vehicle and your possessions without any resistance.

2. Comply with all demands for possessions made by the hijackers.

3. Try to remain calm and avoid showing aggression.

4. Comply with instructions but do not volunteer anything unless it has been demanded.

5. Avoid direct eye contact, which may be interpreted as a threat.

6. Keep hands still and in the open.

7. Speak slowly and avoid sudden movements.

8. Answer questions honestly if the hijacker will be able to verify what you tell him – banking information for example.

9. Don’t attempt any form of evasion or counter – action.

10. Inform the hijackers where things are – don’t reach out to give it to them.

11. If there is police intervention or an ensuing shootout, drop to the ground and obey police orders.