How To Reduce The Odds Of Carjackings
Carjackings aren’t common in Australia. However, they’re one of the most traumatic crimes a car owner can experience – and it’s worth knowing how to avoid one.
Don’t Escalate
If the offender is outside of your car and trying to break in, resist the temptation to “step outside” and “sort him out”.
Give Up The Car
This rule matters most – your life is worth far more than your vehicle. A carjacker is unlikely to want you – they want the car. Do as you’re told, without resisting or chasing.
Don’t Become A Hostage
If the offender insists you stay with the car, don’t. Look for an opportunity to flee at the earliest possible moment.
Bump And Rob Is A Common Method.
The robbers use this method to prey on your civic senses. They bump you from behind, usually at a low speed, and in a quiet street, so as not to wreck the car and not attract attention. You stop, get out of the car to inspect the damage – and this is the moment they use to strike. What can you do? If the area of the rear-ender feels suspect, or anything else is off, you don’t need to stop. Flash your hazards to let them know that you’ve seen them, and drive – slowly – to the nearest public area that has surveillance cameras (e.g., a petrol station).
What to do if your child is in your car?
Say so – loudly and repeatedly. Make sure you make it unequivocally clear. Most thieves don’t want the complexity and additional liability that comes with having an accidentally stolen child in the vehicle, and will let you grab them.
How to lower the odds even further?
Always Lock Your Doors
Most modern cars have auto-locks that engage as you drive away. If you have an older car without them, create a habit where you do it manually as you drive off (hint: always do it after doing up your seatbelt).
The Spidey Sense
If you rock up to a petrol station that gives you the “eebie jeebies”, don’t use it as an opportunity to sharpen your courage. Find a different station – you don’t want to be right about this.