Community safety tips in the spotlight
In an effort to create a safe and more informed Highway community, the Shell Hillcrest Motors and Johann von Bargen joined forces to host an awareness campaign.
IN an effort to create a safer Highway community, Shell Hillcrest Motors hosted an awareness campaign last Wednesday.
Above addressing the rules in place at every forecourt at garages, Johann von Bargen, also known as the Traffic Guy, was invited along to enlighten residents on his anti-hijacking techniques.
According to Dave Douthwaite the rules of a forecourt are solely in place to protect the customers at a garage. “The first rule is no smoking, lighting up or making an open flame at a garage as it can ignite the fumes which can then pull back into the source,” said Douthwaite.
Road uses are also encouraged to turn off their engines at a garage when they are filling up. “This is because the vehicle is giving off heat which is constant and the fuel is moving so it can be ignited.
Another rule is to switch off mobile phones. “People don’t realise how dangerous these devices are as they give off a spark which can in turn ignite the vapours in the air,” said Douthwaite.
Only approved containers may be used when filling them up with petrol. These must either be placed on the ground during the filling process or earthed. “The approved containers are necessary as ordinary bottles give off static,” added Douthwaite.
Bikers are required to dismount when refuelling.
“Another serious concern for us in the business is for customers to drive cautiously when on the forecourt as there are pedestrians continuously moving around,” said Douthwaite.
All of the issues raised regarding rules of the forecourt were accompanied with graphic videos of the effects of the rules being ignored.
Anti-hijacking techniques
“I shoot straight from the hip and call a spade a spade,” said Johann von Bargen. “Hijacking is when they separate you from your vehicle and with these tips it is about you what you can physically do to minimise the risk of being hijacked.”
“We do know we have a big hijacking problem, but we have no idea how big it really is and the reason for this is because the government put a moratorium on the statistics in 2000. In the year 2000 the figure for the entire Durban area was going on 30 000.”
“On the condition that you don’t fight back or argue you have a 99.5 per cent chance of survival and leaving the incident with no injuries. You do not fight with the hijacker as the more you fight the angrier they will become,” said von Bargen.
He said if you would like to overcome a hijacker you would need to think like a hijacker. He noted that all hijackers are human beings and all therefore have limitations. “What do hijackers want? it is cash that they are after. They know they will get more money from selling the car than for holding a person ransom. What do hijackers know about their victims? Everything,” said von Bargen.
Hijackers are believed to have a short term plan which is to scout for cars with unlocked doors and with windows that are down. The long term plan is to mark a potential victim, follow them for a day or two, learn their schedule and route and then hijack them.
Safety hints
Routine changes. Destination A and Destination B will not change but the route you use to reach the destinations can change. According to von Bargen, this will decrease your rick of being a hijack victim by 50 per cent.
Observation. Residents are urged to find the people that could be possible hijackers when they are at a distance.
Keep doors locked.
Stop a safe distance away from the car in front of you. “This is so that you can get out of the lane in one manoeuvre if a hijacker approaches the vehicle,” said von Bargen. “You should be able to see the bottom of the rear tyres and a small portion of the road. If you are in a double lane and there is a car in front of you and a car to your side and a hijacker approaches, you move out of your lane and hit the car in front of you. Your car is now damaged and the hijacker wont want it.”
Reverse park. This parking technique is useful as you will see the entire area in front of you. “If you don’t reverse park, and a hijacker targets you, you will need to reverse the vehicle from the parking lot, stop, change it into first gear and only then drive off. If you reverse park you will be able to leave faster,” added von Bargen.
Electric gates. Von Bargen advises residents to park parallel to their gates while waiting for it to open to avoid being blockaded in.
Foliage. “All trees that are low growing need to be cut from the base upwards so you will be able to see the criminal before he enters your home. If you have neighbours with low growing bushes explain this to them and work with them to address the problem,” said von Bargen.
Conduct if you are involved in a hijacking
Do not argue or resist. “Don’t become a threat, show them your hands which will remove the need for violence. Talk to the hijacker about what you are doing, for example removing your seatbelt, lowering your hand to open the door. Tell him everything so that he knows what to expect from you,” said von Bargen.
He also advised residents to remove the child lock from doors as the people in the back seats will not be able to get out of the vehicle.
“If you have a child they need to be disciplined and let them know what to do should they be involved in a hijacking situation. If you have a baby, try and purchase a car seat that fits into the middle of the back seat. in that situation you can lean in through the driver’s door, unlock the seatbelt with one hand – while holding onto the driver’s door with the other – grab the child by its clothing and pull him, or her, out of the car in one swift movement,” said von Bargen.
