Part one: Brighton Beach SAPS hosts awareness campaign

Carjackings are expected to rise this festive season, with the use of force becoming more excessive resulting in serious injury and even deaths.

There are two main survival principals in a carjacking situation, they are; complying with the demands of your assailants, and not to make any sudden movements.

As part of their communications initiative, SAPS Brighton Beach Division Media Monitoring and Division Sector Policing held an awareness campaign at the Oxford Intersection.

The aim of the brochure campaign was to urge motorists to be vigilant at all times when departing or arriving at their place of residence/accommodation, place of employment, visiting places of public interest and while travelling.

• Always travel with your windows winded up and all doors locked.
• Never talk on your mobile devise or listen to music while driving.
• Do not stop your vehicle to provide assistance to another motorist or pedestrian waving you down for assistance, drive to place that is safe and make an emergency call.
• Be extra vigilant at intersections and traffic lights.

• Ensure that your vehicle is well maintained to prevent it from breaking down: check the water, oil and fuel levels daily.
• For optimal all-round view of your surroundings, adjust your vehicle mirrors accordingly. Do this prior to departing from your home, preferably behind closed gates or in a secure environment.
• If you are travelling to an unknown destination plan your route before departure, use a GPS or map. Also know the location of the nearest police station. Make enquiries prior to your departure of hot spot areas and avoid those areas.
• Know your vehicle registration number, make and model. This will help the SAPS to circulate your vehicle without unnecessary delay.
• A tracking device is a must. It can help SAPS find you and your family members should you be held captive in your vehicle after it has been hijacked. It also assists the SAPS in monitoring the movement of your vehicle after it has been hijacked and can assist with the recovery process.