3
Personal safety doesn’t end at home
Consider and prepare for all situations while driving
Autodealer
Many South Africans go
to extraordinary lengths to
ensure their personal safety in
their homes. This includes alarm systems,
high-voltage fences, armed response, and
guard dogs. But, said the Automobile
Association (AA), personal safety in the
car is often neglected, placing motorists
and their passengers in danger.
“Whether you are going on a short trip
or a long journey, it’s always a good
idea to ensure you are equipped to deal
with any emergency you may encounter.
It’s also important to always keep calm,
assess the situation and remember that
you are always more valuable than your
vehicle,” the AA noted.
The AA said it is a good idea to ensure
you tell someone where you are going
and what time you expect to arrive.
In this way, if you are long overdue,
questions will be asked. Make sure you
have enough fuel to get you to your
destination, or to the nearest fuel station,
so you don’t end up stranded on the
side of the road. Don’t play fuel gauge
roulette, you can only lose.
“Keeping your car in good condition
may not sound like a safety precaution,
but it is. A car which is good working
order, including the tyres and brakes,
is less likely to break down and leave
its occupants stranded. If you break
down, pull off to the shoulder as quickly
as possible and immediately inform
someone of your situation,” said the AA.
Some other tips the AA proposes
include:
· If possible, avoid driving in dimly lit
areas or areas you are unfamiliar with
· Download the AA Rescue App whi ch
will send your location directly to the
AA call centre and a nominated friend or
family member should you activate it
· AA Members can subscribe to the AA
Stand-By-You service where an armed
security guard will be dispatched to your
location to wait with you while assistance
is on its way. This service is available
24/7, 365 days a year
· Ensure your mobile phone is charged
in case you need it during an emergency
· Pack any valuables, including laptops
and handbags, in the boot of the car.
Do not leave these on the passenger or
back seats where they are easily visible,
and can be easily reached through open
windows or in smash-and-grab incidents
· Be aware of your surroundings, and
note any suspicious people or cars at
home or at work. If you do see anything
out of the ordinary, call for help before
you get out of your vehicle
· If you have an electric gate, check
around before opening it and, if possible,
ensure it is well lit for when you arrive in
the dark. If possible, fix light sensors that
activate in low light
· Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed
around your driveway to deny anyone
the opportunity to hide in wait. This also
makes exiting the driveway safer by
offering greater road visibility
· If you are concerned that you are
being followed, circle the block before
going home and, if the car is still behind
you, drive to the nearest police station
· Keep a sensible distance between
yourself and the car in front of you when
stopping, to leave enough room to get
your car out quickly, should the need arise
· If you have been the victim of a
smash-and-grab incident, don’t get out of
your vehicle and chase after the suspect
immediately; this will leave you exposed
and vulnerable to other thieves
“Being aware of what is happening
around you is especially important
because people can become victims of
hijackings while entering or leaving their
homes. It is always a good idea to scout
the area in front of your home before
going in to avoid a nasty surprise once
your gate has opened,” the AA suggested.
Other tips on dealing with hijackings
include:
· Do not resist any hijackers, your life is
more important than your car
· Keep your hands visible at all times
and speak in as calm a voice as you can
muster
· Listen carefully to any instructions
and follow them promptly
· Tell the truth if you are asked any
questions. If the hijackers catch you lying,
it may worsen the situation for you
· If you have a child in the car, speak
calmly and ask if you can get the child out
before they leave. Explain that the child
poses no threat to them
“Ensuring your personal safety while
on the road doesn’t end with you putting
on your seatbelt or ensuring your car is
in a good working condition; there are
other factors you should consider, and
prepare for, that will make your motoring
experience even safer,” the AA concluded.