Stay safe on the road this festive season
From ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy to knowing how to respond to suspicious situations, taking a few precautionary steps can help keep you, your loved ones, and your belongings safe.
The holiday season is a time for celebration, travel, and creating memories, but it’s also a period when car-related accidents and crimes can spike. Whether you’re embarking on a long road trip or simply running festive errands, staying alert and prepared can make all the difference.
Here are some safety tips to consider:
• Ensure your vehicle is in a good condition when you plan to go on a journey.
• Ensure the fuel tank of your vehicle always has sufficient fuel.
• Always lock your vehicle’s doors and keep the windows closed.
• Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute.
• Avoid stopping at remote places.
• Park your vehicle in places that are well lit.
• If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide – only 5cm is enough to have a discussion.
• If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather be rude and drive away.
• Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you.
• Vary the route you travel to and from work if possible.
• If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible or press your hooter to attract attention.
• If strangers loiter near or at your driveway, rather drive past. If they loiter for a long time, report it to your nearest police station.
• Hijackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car.
• If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual(s) involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help.
• Leave everything behind if forced from the car. Do not reach for your purse or valuables.
• Your life is more valuable than your possessions.
• Do not resist, especially if the thief has a weapon.
• Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away.
• A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime.
• Do not give strangers a lift.
• A gear lock is an affordable and very effective anti-theft device.
• If possible, put up a mirror against the front wall of your garage to see if someone is following you into the garage.
• Do not open your garage doors before your gates are closed.
Safety awareness when parking/driving your vehicle
• Avoid parking your motor vehicle where there are no security officers guarding other cars.
• Do not leave your firearm in the motor vehicle’s glove compartment (cubbyhole) or anywhere in the vehicle when you park the vehicle. This is against the law.
• Make sure all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your car.
• Valuable items like a laptop and camera should be put in the boot of your car.
• Be aware of people coming to you and informing you that you have a flat tyre, the intention can be to steal items they see inside the car or steal your car.
• Always close your windows when driving in the city centre.
• Do not open your windows for hawkers along the road and at the robots.
• Keep the doors locked and windows closed at all times.
• Do not use a cellphone unless you have a hands-free kit.
• Lock your valuables in the car’s boot before departure.
• At night, park in well-lit areas.
• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.
• Practise the same prevention skills you apply in parking lots or garages at home.
• Become familiar with your route before you start the trip.
• Get a map of the route and study it.
• Store luggage in the car’s boot where it is out of sight.
• Do not leave your goods/valuable items visible in the car.
• Do not leave your handbag/briefcase visible in the car.
• Do not leave your keys in the ignition.
• Always lock the doors and close the windows when getting out of the car.
• Remove detachable radios and the radio’s face when getting out of the car.
• Try to fit an alarm and/or anti-theft device in your car.
• Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your car, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag.
• Parking lots with a parking attendant or supervision/someone patrolling are best, otherwise try to park in locations that are well lit and/or well populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide.
The following hints are applicable:
• Do not react to provocation.
• Stay away from erratic drivers.
• Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.
• Use your hooter sparingly.
• Do not flash your headlights.
• Do not make obscene gestures.
• Do not change lanes without using your indicator.
• Do not drive too close to the vehicle in front of you.
• Do not block lanes.
