A hijacking (reported cases) occurs every 32 minutes somewhere in South Africa. That is 46 vehicles a day. Certain vehicles are high up on the list for hijackers, such as the Volkswagen Polo and Toyota and more than half of hijackings occur in Gauteng.
This is why you need to know where the hijacking hotspots are and how to be best prepared.
According to results published in the quarterly Tracker vehicle crime index 2020, most hijackings happen between 10:00 and 14:00 and 20:00 to midnight, on any day of the week, while theft activation occurs mainly between 05:00 and 08:00.
Hijacking hotspot routes include the N3 from Heidelberg to Vosloorus, the N12 from Phola to Daveyton, South Rand Road (N17), the R50/Delmas Road, the N14, the R512, the Moroka Bypass on the N12, the Molefe Makinta Highway (M21), the Sybrand van Niekerk Freeway (R59) and the R21.
However, hotspots can and do change frequently, therefore Tracker advises people to be vigilant wherever they go.
Avoid hijackings by:
* Pay attention: while the majority of hijackings occur outside your home, this is not the only place it can happen.
A large percentage of hijackings occur at intersections which is why drivers should be as aware at intersections as they are arriving home.
Keep an eye on people at intersections.
Many hijackers are the well-dressed, inconspicuous people possibly reading newspapers at the corner.
* Do not pull into your driveway and stop – you need to be stationary to be hijacked. Many drivers still come to a complete standstill when they don’t need to. You should never pull into your driveway until the gate is open.
Also, avoid stopping completely at intersections.
* Reverse parking: when at a shopping centre, find a parking space against a wall and reverse your car in.
The wall at your back also prevents someone from surprising you from behind.
* Practice: before you find yourself in a hijacking situation with your children, teach them where to sit in the car and what to do if it does happen.
Agree on a keyword which will mobilise car occupants into action.
Babies should be behind the passenger seat so you can reach over and unbuckle them without exiting the car.
Pro-Active South Africa is a vehicle tracking application (APP) that gathers information from SAPS, tracking companies and South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB) to compile a list of hijacking hotspots around South Africa. Download it from your play store for free.
For life-threatening emergencies, phone 011 458 0911 or 112 from your cellphone, or phone SAPS Nigel on 011 812 6503,
