South Africa is not the kind of place to take chances. Even when driving, and seemingly safe while on the move, the unexpected can happen and you can be left in a troubling, perhaps even dangerous situation. Staying safe on the roads is about more than driving carefully, it is also about preparing properly and ensuring that you are always aware of what is happening around you at all times.
These are a few tips to keep in mind when you are about to hit the road:
Leaving your current destination:
- Have a look around you and don’t be distracted by your phone while you are walking to your car.
- Should you be travelling with a child, seat them behind the driver seat so that you can easily grab them.
- Should you have papers on any of your windows, be sure to remove them before you start driving. This distraction might make you slow down or even stop to remove them and result in criminals taking advantage of you.
- Keep valuables and anything else that might look valuable out of sight.
- Make sure that your doors and windows are locked.
- Plan your route in advance, especially if you are in an unfamiliar place.
- Check your fuel, oil, water and tyres before driving anywhere.
While driving:
- Stay focused and leave your phone alone. Be aware of what is happening around you.
- Should something happen and you need to stop, try to find a petrol station or a police station. At night, avoid dark, empty areas.
- If you see someone trying to flag you down or if you spot someone in need of help, it’s best to keep driving and report what you’ve seen to the authorities.
- Try to take a different route to and from work each day.
- Keep in mind that criminals steal cars of all kinds, if the opportunity presents itself.
- Keep a lookout for anyone who might be following you. If you feel as though you are being followed, drive to a security provider or police station.
Staying safe during a hijacking
It is difficult to be prepared in the event of a hi-jacking but keeping these tips in mind might help you should you find yourself in this awful situation:
- Don’t resist the attacker, follow what they say.
- Make sure that you keep your hands visible.
- Should you be allowed to leave the vehicle, do so. Walk away and don’t fight for your car.
- As much as it is possible, try to stay calm and take note of all the details that stand out about the hijackers, such as clothing, tattoos, scars or even accents.
- Let hijackers know if you have a child in the care and if you are allowed to, remove the child and shield them from the threat.
Gatekeeper provides the best access control systems for gates which go a long way towards keeping your property secure. Make sure that when you are on the road, you stay secure by using our tips.