Becoming a victim of a car hijacking ranks among the most traumatic experiences anyone could go through. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, hijack victims suffer the same symptoms and go through the same level of trauma as people who are exposed to a war zone or natural disaster. That’s how emotionally and mentally damaging a hijacking is.
Anyone who drives a car is at risk, and needs to be alert and cautious at all times. Research by several local and international security companies shows that you generally begin to relax (and feel safe) the closer you get home. This explains why an increasing number of hijackings take place in driveways. To counter this, be more aware of your surroundings the closer you get home. Here are simple, but effective tips to remember:
1. Glance more often into your rear and side mirrors the closer you get to your destination. You might notice unusual movement or a car following you.
2. Reduce the speed as you approach
your driveway, and continue to keep an eye on your mirrors. If a car is indeed following you, it will mimic your actions. That should raise alarm bells. Of course it could just be someone continuing further along the road, but to be sure, slow all the way down and give way to the car behind you. But, do not turn into your driveway as they will block you in should this be a hijacking in progress.
- As you approach, flick your
headlights to high beam so as to light up the road, gate and driveway. - Lower the volume or turn off
the radio and ask your kids to simmer down so you can hear any unusual sounds, voices, etc. - Scan the area surrounding the gate and driveway, but also for what (or who) might be lurking across the road.
- Get off your phone. Being distracted is one of the easiest ways hijackers sneak up on you.
PEAK TIMES FOR HIJACKINGS
Car hijackings occur in other places too such as traffic lights, parking areas and even schools when you drop off or pick up your kids. So, adjust the above-mentioned tips to suit your environment. The key is to be vigilant at all times. According to Arrive Alive, hijackings occur every day of the week, reaching a high on Fridays due to motorists being more relaxed, combined with increased traffic leading to the weekend. A lower rate occurs during the weekend due to fewer cars on the roads, and because syndicates check their stock (stolen cars) on Fridays so that they can place orders for the weekend ahead. As incredulous as that sounds, this explains why Tuesdays and Wednesdays are busy days for hijackers. But, they are low at night and at their lowest point at 2am. They start again from 6am when you leave home for work, decrease during the day but pick up again between 4pm and 8pm (peak hijack time). Very importantly, remember that anyone can be hijacked; it’s about the car, not you. Hijackers carefully select their targets by choosing someone they deem would offer the least resistance.
They watch them for days just to study their habits, including:
1. The time you leave home and return.
2. The routes you use (people are creatures of habit).
3. Access to and from the potential hijacking spot and proximity to the getaway route.
THE BLIND SPOT
Contrary to popular belief, car hijacking is for the most part a thriving industry run meticulously by unscrupulous individuals. While there are instances of opportunistic crimes, most of them are planned with military precision by syndicates that sell off the stolen cars either for parts or intact. If you aren’t careful, you could unknowingly become part of the hijacked car value process when you:1. Take in your car for repairs at dodgy backyard workshops where the cost is a fraction of what you know it should be (given what you would have paid in the past).
2. Buy a car that costs less, knowing that you couldn’t have gotten it at such a low price from anywhere else.
IF YOU’RE GETTING HIJACKED
Here are some things to remember should you find yourself in this unfortunate situation:
Try to remain calm. Breathe deeply and deliberately. What people often don’t realise is that the hijacker is just as scared as the victim.
Do exactly as they demand.
Do not make sudden movements. Keep your hands visible.
Leave any valuables in the car – do not try to retrieve anything.
Do not make eye contact with them. Keep your face and body slightly turned away from them, especially if they have a weapon.
When the situation permits, tell them that your child is in the car before you exit. Remember that they want the car, not you or your child.
Once you exit, put as much distance as possible between yourself and the car.
As soon as you possibly can, report the crime to the police by calling 08600 10111 or 112 on any network.
In the unfortunate event that you survive the trauma of being hijacked, do not underestimate the extent to which the experience will have affected your life – mentally, emotionally and physically. Don’t ignore your feelings – seek professional counselling as soon as possible.
Also see: Improve Your Personal Safety
