How to avoid being a victim of a hijacking and stay safe

Car hijacking or carjacking is a well-organized business that is meticulously planned. Increased retrenchment and high unemployment rates in South Africa are two factors contributing to the rise in hijackings. For the crooks that commandeer or seize your vehicle, this is easy money, and the syndicates will buy the hijacked automobiles from the hijacker.Over the last ten years, particularly in 2016/17, the police in South Africa recorded the largest number of hijacking or carjacking events with 16,717 incidents. Gauteng was the scene of more than half of the crimes (Northern Province of South Africa).

The bulk of hijackers who skyjack or confiscate are guys (rarely women), who operate in groups and are typically in their teens or early twenties. It’s also been said that there’s a team that appears to be older. Because most of us feel less frightened in the presence of a woman than in the presence of a man, ladies are sometimes used to lull potential victims into a false feeling of security. They may, however, conceal weapons inside a jacket or jersey, despite their appearance. The majority of hijackers operate both from cars and on foot. Their driving patterns may be suspect before a hijacking; they may drive slowly in a specific region or simply sit in a parked car or a parking garage.

The Most At-Risk Areas For A Hijacking

The most vulnerable areas for a hijacking are in front of residential homes (51%), at traffic signals (7%), at a pedestrian crossing or yield sign (6%), at other crossing points (1%), at the worksite (5%), at malls, victims waiting in parked cars (10%), post offices, telephone booths and other similar establishments (3%), at filling stations (1%), victims pushed off the road by decoys (4%), victims leaving/approaching parked cars (2%), workers at the roadside e.g. mending telephone cables 2%, hitch-hikers (1%), when taxis are loading/offloading passengers (4%), and unknown (1%).

Strategies Used By The Hijackers:

The majority of hijackings occur in residential neighborhoods’ driveways. Hijackings happen when people are stopped at robots or intersections, or when they are stopped adjacent to the road, for example, to answer a phone call. Hijackings can also happen at stores and parking lots, also in a peaceful area. A vehicle may be used by hijackers to force others off the road. Hijackings can also occur when children are dropped off or picked up from school.

When off-loading / loading passengers, or while keeping your car up for sale, hijackings can occur while the vehicle is idling (test drive method). Hijackings are also carried out by fictitious police or traffic officers (Blue light scenario). Don’t be deceived by phony requests for assistance, “accidents” such as getting rear-ended, “accidents” in remote or quiet regions that don’t appear normal, someone trying to obtain aid from a stationary automobile, or your electric gates being stuck.

How To Prevent A Carjacking Or Hijacking And How To Be Safe

• Always double-check your street and driveway before leaving or entering your home.
• Make sure you’re not being followed by checking your rear-view mirror.
• Be particularly vigilant as you approach your destination.
• Turn off the radio in your automobile and focus on your surroundings.
• If you see a car following you, go to the nearest police station or a public spot with security cameras. 
• Use anti-theft devices such as electronic tracking devices (GPS tracking to track down your car after a theft), kill switches (to prevent a thief from starting your car), dash cameras or baby monitors, tyre locks, brake or clutch locks, wheel clamps, steering wheel locks, and so on to protect your car in layers.
• Keep in mind to park in a well-lit area.
• Avoid parking near walls, bushes, or dumpsters, which could be hiding a hijacker.
• Be aware that sleeping in your automobile while stationary is not a good idea.
• Always close and lock your windows and doors while driving.
• Allow half a vehicle length in front of your vehicle when halting behind another vehicle to allow for an emergency exit if necessary.
• When driving, avoid driving through high-crime or unknown neighborhoods, and avoid taking the same route every time.
• When the roads are quiet, avoid driving past midnight or before the break of dawn.
• When feasible, drive in the middle lane, farthest from pedestrians.
• If at all necessary, avoid driving solo.

• NEVER, EVER give a lift to or pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
• If you are approached or advanced by a stranger whilst driving, either drive away or use your hooter to draw attention to yourself.
• Jot down any police stations in the area before you leave for your trip. Keep an eye out for any car parked near your house with people inside.
• Make sure your valuables, including cell phones, are hidden in your vehicle.
• If you’re returning home after dark, make sure the external light is turned on, and let a friend or family member know you’ve arrived and are safe inside.
• Be on the alert for suspicious people or cars, and don’t be afraid to call the cops if you see them.
• Drive to the nearest police station if you feel suspicious that someone is following you or, if you’re not sure, drive to a popular, crowded street.
• Take nothing from persons who are waiting at traffic lights/stop lights or in other places where people congregate (gathering points). The perpetrators are frequently present among these individuals.
• Always keep a copy of your ID and driver’s license on you, as well as a pen and notebook to jot down any important information.
• Hijackers may stage a minor mishap, such as a car accident. If your vehicle is hit from behind and you do not trust the person involved, tell him or her that he or she must accompany or follow you and drive to the nearest police station or a busy public area for assistance.
• Never let somebody into your vehicle through the window or door. If a strange person approaches your unattended vehicle, stay away from it. Ask for assistance at the nearest public location.
• If you come across road obstructions, such as pebbles or tyres, do not exit your car to remove them. Drive in the direction opposite and reverse your route of travel. Never stop for food or rest on a deserted road, and never leave your vehicle unattended at a gas station. 
• Cell phones should be kept safely in your pocket and they should remain so because during an attack, the criminals will not let you take your phone or other valuables out of the vehicle.

If your car has been stolen;

• Do not lose your cool, intimidate, or frighten or challenge the hijacker. Always try to maintain a cool demeanor and avoid displaying symptoms of aggressiveness. 
• Do Exactly What The Hijackers Say! Do not fight back, especially if the hijacker is armed. 
• Do not make an eye gaze with the hijacker. Simply surrender your vehicle. Eye contact can be interpreted as a threat and the hijacker may retaliate violently. Also, do not speak much.
• Conclude as possible without constituting a threat, such as how many individuals are there? What were the criminals dressed in? What direction did they take off in? Keep an eye out for the words they use (the accent).
• Finally, if possible, contact the police or seek assistance.

All of the precautions adopted may not always be sufficient. Furthermore, anti-theft systems cannot be relied upon completely. If your vehicle has been stolen, contact Investi-Centre to find out who was involved. We can help you prosecute hijackers if you need it.