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Avoid being hijacked by remaining alert.
The latest crime statistics were recently released and reveal some concerning trends. The last few months have seen a sharp increase in the number of hijackings, with as many as 5455 people reporting that they were hijacked in the last three months of 2021, which represents a 13,8% increase.
Below are 4 tips to stay ahead of the rise in car hijackings in South Africa, from motus.cars, supported by Motus Toyota (previously Imperial Toyota):
1. Be aware of the risk
2. Trust your instincts
Be especially alert when returning home from the banks or shopping centre. If you get the feeling that you are being followed rather do another loop around your neighbourhood and if it still seems like you are being followed rather drive to a safe location like a petrol station.
Many armed response companies also offer their clients an escorting service if they feel that they are in danger and be sure to contact your security service if you feel uneasy in any way.
3. Plan your quick exit
When stopping in traffic, such as at traffic lights, always ensure that you have an exit plan. A good idea is to stop a fair distance from the car ahead of you, a good gauge of this distance is whether you can see where the tyres of the car ahead of you meet the tar. This will allow you to escape to the left or right if you do detect a possible hijacking threat.
4. Avoid an altercation
If you are unable to avoid a hijacking situation, you need to remember that the hijacker wants your car and would ideally like to avoid an altercation. Therefore, the best strategy is to surrender your car and save your life by cooperating with the hijacker. Doing anything to infuriate the hijacker or trying to negotiate will most probably not end favourable for you.Indicate your intention to co-operate, the best way to do this is by raising your hands. Exit the vehicle by making the attacker at ease and aware of your actions to ensure that they remain calm. The most important thing to do is to cooperate to minimise your chances of being physically harmed.
Read: "How to avoid being hijacked".
Visit motus.cars for more info and tips, or join the conversation on Facebook and YouTube.
This post and content is sponsored, written and provided by motus.cars
