Hijack: Tips to keep you safe

WITH more than 60 per cent of all hijackings taking place close to home, knowing what to look out for and how to respond is very important.

ADT partnered with the National Hijack Prevention Academy to offer drivers advice:

· Always remain vigilant. Research shows that most people relax the closer they get to home and this is often when they are most vulnerable.

· If you do travel with children in the car, seat the eldest directly behind the driver and the youngest behind the passenger seat. If you are hijacked with them in the vehicle, climb out slowly and move to the back door directly behind the driver’s door. Place one foot in the car as you lean across to retrieve the youngest child; the eldest will likely cling to you and you can get them both out of the car at once.

· If you suspect you are being followed, put your indicator on and slow down at least two to three houses before you reach your home. This could force the vehicle behind you to pass and cause criminals to lose interest.

· If you must stop in your driveway to manually open the gate, always leave the key in the ignition and the motor running unless you have a child in the car. Only then should you take the key with you as you open the gate. The key is a valuable negotiating tool – they want your car and you want your child.

· In traffic, always make sure you can see the back wheels of the car in front of you as this will avoid you being boxed-in and allow enough room to manoeuvre and escape.

· Don’t fall for the tap-tap trap where a driver bumps the back of your car in traffic. Women drivers are often used as decoys. Never get out at the scene to assess the damage, but rather signal to the other driver to follow you to a busy location. If it is not legitimate they will seldom do so.

Rules to follow when hijacked

“THE first, and golden rule, is to not antagonise the hijackers who are probably more nervous than you are,” advised Martin Kriel, managing director of ADT Security, East Coast Region.

“You need to show them you are not a threat. Lift up your arms to show you have no weapon and will surrender. Use your left arm to undo your seatbelt and put your car in neutral.

“Without turning off the car, get out slowly and try to angle your body so that you do not face a firearm head-on. Use your arms to protect your head and without making eye-contact with the hijackers, try to take note of what they are wearing and the sound of their voices,” Kriel said.