IN light of the increase in truck hijackings the past few months, Kempton Park SAPS gave truck drivers tips on how to stay safe while on the road.
The police took part in a campaign on Tuesday to warn truck drivers about an increase in hijackings.
The campaign targeted drivers around Pomona and Isando, where police handed out information pamphlets they had compiled. Drivers were warned that the most common areas for the hijackings were the R21, R23 and Monument Road.
The most common methods criminals use to hijack trucks include tricking drivers by pretending to be cops stopping them on the road and signalling to drivers that something might be wrong with the truck, causing the driver to stop the vehicle and then be attacked.
Police also warned that some cases were possibly inside jobs, where someone from the company knew when and what was being transported by the vehicles. Police also warned that it was crucial for drivers to stick to their routes.
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Police spokesperson, Capt Jethro Mtshali, advised that one of the best ways to avoid being hijacked was for drivers to be familiar with their environment and be vigilant while on the road.
“Be constantly on the look-out for suspicious looking people or vehicles and do not hesitate to report them to the police,” Mtshali said.
Also, know your destination and directions very well and be alert if and when you get lost.”
One of the most crucial tips police gave was for drivers to make sure their vehicles were in good condition, so they could avoid experiencing a flat tyre or running out of fuel. Some drivers said this was a challenge for them as some employers and truck companies did not ensure trucks were in their best shape.
“You’ll find a situation where we’ll warn our employers that we are short of fuel and instead of providing the resources, they will tell us to drive extra slowly. If we take up some of the issues with them, we are told we must not challenge them otherwise they will find other drivers to do the job,” one truck driver commented, asking to remain anonymous.
Tips to avoid hijack situations:
• Ensure your spare wheel is always inflated
• When leaving your premises, try to move forward instead of reversing out of driveways
• Don’t talk on your cellphone while driving, as this serves as a distraction from your surroundings
• Constantly check your rear-view and side mirrors for anything suspicious
• If you think you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or call your boss to inform the police
• If your vehicle is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual/s involved in the situation, drive to the nearest petrol station or the police, or call for help
• Never pick up hitchhikers
• Park your truck in busy parking lots if you will be working late at night
“Also, drivers should be wary of people driving in cars, standing at stop streets, traffic lights or road sides trying to tell you that something is wrong with their truck, because criminals use this as a trick to get drivers to stop their trucks, allowing for them to be easily hijacked,” W/O Heindrich Coetzee, sector manager, concluded.
