Crime Prevention : Safety Tips

Safety in a vehicle | Safety Awareness when parking | Agressive driving behaviour

Safety Awareness in a Vehicle

• Ensure that your vehicle is in a good condition when you plan to go on a journey.
• Ensure that the fuel tank of your vehicle always has sufficient fuel.
• Always lock your vehicles doors and keep the windows closed.
• Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute.
• Avoid to stop at remote places.
• Park your vehicle in places that are well lit.
• If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide -only 5 cm is enough to have a discussion.
• If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather be rude and drive away.
• Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you.
• Vary the route you travel to work and back, if this is possible.
• If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible or press your hooter to attract attention.
• If strangers loiter near or at your driveway, rather drive past. If they loiter for a long time, report it to your nearest police station.
• Car jackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car.
• If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual(s) involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help.
• Do not reach for your purse or valuables. Leave everything behind if forced from the car.
• Your life is more valuable than your possessions.
• Do not resist, especially if the thief has a weapon.
• Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away.
• A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime.
• Do not give strangers a lift.
• A gear lock is an affordable and a very effective anti-theft device.
• If possible, put up a mirror against the front wall of your garage to see if someone is following you into the garage.
• Do not open your garage doors before your gates are closed.

SAFETY AWARENESS WHEN PARKING/DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

• Avoid parking your motor vehicle where there are no security officers guarding other cars.
• Do not leave your firearm in the motor vehicle=s glove compartment (cubbyhole) or anywhere in the vehicle when you park the vehicle (this is against the law!).
• Make sure that all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your car.
• Valuable items like a laptop and camera should be put in the boot of your car.
• Be aware of people coming to you and informing you that you have a flat tire, the intention can be to steal items that they see inside the car or rob your car.
• Always close your windows when driving in the city centre.
• Do not open your windows for hawkers along the road and at the robots.
• Keep the doors locked and windows closed at all times.
• Do not use a cellular phone unless you have a hands-free kit.
• Lock your valuables in the cars boot before departure.
• At night, park in well-lit areas.
• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.
• Practice the same prevention skills you apply in parking lots or garages at home.
• Become familiar with your route before you start the trip.
• Get a map of the route and study it.
• Store luggage in the cars boot where it is out of sight.
• Do not leave your goods/valuable items visible in the car.
• Do not leave your handbag/briefcase visible in the car.
• Do not leave your keys in the ignition.
• Always lock the doors and close the windows when getting out of the car.
• Remove detachable radios and the radio=s face when getting out of the car.
• Try to fit an alarm and/or anti-theft device in your car.
• Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your car, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag.
• Parking lots with a parking attendant or supervision/ someone patrolling are best, otherwise try to park in locations that are well lit and/or well populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide.

ROAD SAFETY: AGGRESSIVE DRIVING BEHAVIOUR

The followings aspects might trigger aggressive behaviour:

• Following too close to the vehicle in front.
• Passing vehicles on the right.
• Cutting in and out of traffic and failing to signal while engaging in multiple lane changes.
• Crossing safety markings while merging onto ramps.
• Failing to yield at ramps and intersections.
• Violating railroad crossings.
• Displaying or using a weapon.
• Displaying aggressive or obscene gestures.
• Slow moving traffic in fast lanes, etc

The following hints are applicable:

• Do not react to provocation.
• Stay away from erratic drivers.
• Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.
• Use your hooter sparingly.
• Do not flash your headlights.
• Do not make obscene gestures.
• Do not change lanes without using your indicator.
• Do not drive too close to the vehicle in front of you.
• Do not block lanes
   

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