Protect yourself with these transport safety guidelines

AS we celebrate Women’s Month, the SUN looks back at some sage advice for women provided by Brighton Beach SAPS’ communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.

Capt Le Roux previously provided these safety guidelines in a brochure to Bluff motorists.

“Women should consider their personal safety every day and try their best to prevent finding themselves in situations that expose them to all forms of crimes,” she said.

The following transport safety guidelines were provided:

• Inspect your car daily, inside your yard before departing. Ensure you have sufficient water and fuel – this can prevent you from being stranded on the roadside.
• When climbing into the vehicle, lock the doors, wind up windows and buckle up. This will prevent a hijacker from having an opportunity to force a gun through your window or opening your door. Also, if you are buckled up you can reverse safely and drive into something which can cause a commotion and attract attention to your situation.
• Don’t fidget when you get into your car. Get in and drive immediately.
• Don’t enter your garage or a parking area if you believe you are being followed. Rather drive to the nearest police station or public place.
• Don’t wait for an electronic gate to close via sensor, rather use the remote.
• Don’t talk or text on your mobile device while entering or exiting your premises.
• Ensure the area surrounding your driveway, gates and garage are well-lit and hedges are trimmed so as not to obscure your vision.
• Use alternate departure and arrival times and routes.
• Keep a functional torch in your vehicle in case you are stranded at night.
• Ensure that your mobile phone is always fully charged and you have sufficient airtime or data to make an emergency call.
• If possible have a tracker system installed in your vehicle.
• Should you become a victim of a hijacking or abduction and find yourself locked in the boot of a vehicle, kick out the back tail light and stick your arm out the hole and wave. The driver will not see your actions, but everybody else will.

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