Fidelity ADT issued a warning to motorists to be vigilant since criminals were once again impersonating police officers and hijacking unsuspecting victims.

This follows after Midrand police also issued a warning recently.

Community development manager for Fidelity ADT Danny Maringa said the majority of cases have been reported on the N1 north and south on the Olifantsfontein off-ramp from both Pretoria to Johannesburg and Johannesburg to Pretoria. The incidents have reportedly taken place between 09:00 and 12:00 during the day.

Another off-ramp that is being targeted is Allandale from Johannesburg to Pretoria.

Maringa said this type of incident could occur anywhere so residents must ensure they were never distracted when exiting or entering an off-ramp.

“It all starts off with correct planning. You have to be prepared for your trip and be familiar with the route you want to travel.

“If you are relying on your cellphone to guide you where you want to go, you need to make sure that you have a battery charger in your car. It is wise to always have a plan B in case the GPS lets you down and decides to take you on the fastest route which is not necessarily the safest.”

He said travelling in the evening was obviously the most dangerous, especially in winter when it got darker earlier. “It is key residents use their rear view mirror at all times to check what is happening around them.

“You need to be particularly careful when slowing down for a robot. Your highest risk is if you come to a dead standstill in a deserted area. It is so important to follow your gut instinct.

“If you are pulled over let someone know immediately that you are being pulled over. This could be a friend, send a pin drop, or if you have a tracking device it could be an assist button or Find Me App.

“Ideally slow down a bit, put your lights on bright and hazards to attract the attention of any passers-by and drive to the nearest well-lit area if at all possible. Most garages have cameras and you can phone 10111 en route who could potentially verify the vehicle registration number if it does not belong to the police.”

He said if there were family members and children in the car, they had to be prepared without scaring them, “but talk to them frankly”.

“You need to have an emergency plan and the children must understand that they must follow your instructions no matter what.”

Maringa stressed the importance that these incidents are isolated and that most police officers are really just trying to do their job so it is still important to be courteous, respectful and obedient.

But what if it is a hijacking, how do you survive? Maringa provides the following hints and tips:

– Decide today, what is worth more, your life or your car – know that decision up front.
– Obey the hijacker and avoid eye contact.
– Indicate with both hands up at chest level that you are willing to obey. Ensure your fingers are open so that they can see you haven’t got anything in your hands.
– Don’t make any fast unannounced movements which could startle your hijackers.
– When you receive the order to get out of the vehicle, start with your seatbelt. Indicate that you want to undo your seatbelt, so the hijacker knows you have it on, because releasing the seatbelt can make a loud noise that can sound like a gun shot.
– Tell them that you are going to pull up the handbrake.
– Use your left hand to open the door and remember no jerking movements.
– Get out with your right foot first, then left foot, hands up all the time.
– Alert them of pets or children or anybody else in the vehicle.
– Be obedient.
– Take in as much info as possible about the other vehicles and things that you can remember about the perpetrators; like tattoos, scars, etc. things that stand out. Paint a picture in your head which you are going to remember.
– This is critical information that you must give to authorities which will help them to put the perpetrators behind bars.

He encouraged residents to consider joining their local CPF “as most CPF groups have information on current crime trends and problem areas and can be a great support in times of crisis”.