It’s everyone’s worst nightmare. You are driving home late, it’s dark and in the dream, it’s probably raining with cracks of lighting as well. You slow down at a stop street or traffic light, when a dark figure approaches the car from the shadows.

A lot of people don’t think to lock their doors when they are driving. Why would you? Nobody can open the door from the outside when the car is speeding down the highway. But what about when you slow down and even come to halt. Then there are the windows. People can easily reach in, grab you, or point a knife at you with out you being able to do a thing. They can unlock the car in a single well-trained swoop.

Of course, this is if you are in the car to start off with. A lot of hijackers are now attacking their victims when they are walking to their car. Think about it. You approach your car, you stand there right in front of the door, searching in your bag or pockets for the keys. It is obvious that it’s your car and in a minute you are going to open it, so hijackers just walk over while you are busy and attack.

The first thing a driver should always do is have their keys in their hand as they approach their car. This will not only minimize the time you are standing around being vulnerable, but will also give the hijacker less time to attack you.

The next thing is to drive away quickly. A lot of people have a tendency to think that once they are in their car they are safe. They spend their time sorting out their bags, checking their shopping slips, writing down lists, some women even start applying make up. Rather do these things when you are at home.

Try keeping out of crime areas, especially early in the morning and late at night, as these are the high crime times. Although a person doesn’t really want to be thinking about being hijacked while driving, it is always a good rule to just try and keep alert or aware of people and vehicles around you. Always leave enough space around you to manoeuvre around cars or obstacles just in case.

Try and drive in the middle of the road as much as possible. If you drive too close to the curb, a person might come out from behind a bush before you are aware of it. If it is late at night and you can see that you are coming up to a red traffic light, try to slow the car down and approach slowly so that, hopefully, by the time you reach the light it has already turned green and you can drive on without actually having to stop.

Once you have finally reached your destination, don’t think that you are out of danger. According to statistics, up to 80% of hijackings happen in people’s own driveways. If you have any bushes or shadows where you park your car at home, light them up by manoeuvring your car and using your headlights.

Unfortunately in today’s world, the common person on the street, or in their car, has to become more aware of possibilities. It is a bit sad that we have to be permanently on the alert for dangers, but adapting to the times is necessary. With just a few points and thinking strategies when driving, hopefully you will never have to be in the situation where your life might be at risk. Prevention, in this case, is definitely a better solution.

Celeste writes for Trace Net, which is a tracking and recovery agent for cars.

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