Carjacking Prevention Tips - Strategies To Reduce Your Risk
Carjacking has gained popularity in recent years due to technological advances in anti-theft devices.
Car Alarms, wheel and steering locks, vehicle tracking systems, kill switches, and anti-theft chip-integrated ignition switches have made it much more complicated for the average thief to steal a car.
They have adapted to the increased difficulties and realized it is far easier to steal a car with the keys already in it, with the added benefit of robbing the driver.
Reasons for carjacking The most common motives for a carjacker to steal a vehicle are to flee a crime, or to use the vehicle to commit a crime.
However, other reasons include; feeding a drug habit, a gang initiation, selling off the parts, or joy-riding.
What makes this crime so dangerous is that over 90% of them involve some type of weapon, usually a hand gun or knife.
Even more frightening is the possibility of the driver being abducted and taken to a remote location, away from any potential witnesses.
Victims then run the risk of being robbed, sexually assaulted or killed.
Most common locations There is little you can do to completely eliminate the risk of being carjacked, but there are many things you can do to reduce it.
The best self defense is avoidance.
Reducing risk is as simple as avoiding areas where a carjacking is most likely to occur.
High crime neighborhoods are especially dangerous because residents often refuse to cooperate with law enforcement for fear of reprisals.
With few witnesses willing to speak to police, criminals are much more brazen than they would be otherwise.
Stay away from remote rural roads with little traffic, especially if traveling alone at night.
Any Isolated areas and dimly lit parking lots are also good to avoid.
It's simply not possible to avoid all potential carjacking locations however, it is vital to stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially when you are required to stop your vehicle.
Traffic jams, red light intersections, highway on-ramps and exits or any location where you are forced to slow down or stop your vehicle, are high risk spots that cannot be avoided.
Red Light Carjacking A red light represents the perfect opportunity for a car thief.
The vehicle is running, the keys are in the ignition, and the car is already on the road, ready for a speedy escape.
He will look for an easy target, usually a female traveling alone, with the windows rolled down for quick access.
No amount of women's self defense training can prepare someone for a red light carjacking.
Because the victim is seated in a confined area, and the fact that the attacker has a weapon, makes even the most highly trained self defense expert vulnerable.
What to Do
Many carjackers prefer to be near a freeway on-ramp for a quick escape.
Some common locations for carjackings include; parking lots, parking structures, gas stations, liquor stores, shopping malls, strip malls, hotels, ATM locations, and the drive through at fast food restaurants.
What to Do
Often times the roadblock will appear "official" as if it were government or police checkpoint.
Another method they use is to pull the victim over using an official looking vehicle like police, ambulance or military.
Luckily, these methods are not used in the U.
S.
However, there are other methods a clever carjacker will use to pull over unsuspecting victims, and it will usually occur in an area that suits their purposes; dimly lit, no people around, no escape routes, etc.
The Bump In this scenario the thief usually has an accomplice.
Using their vehicle, they will bump another vehicle gently from the rear, in order to make the victim think there's been a collision.
The unsuspecting victim then exits the vehicle to assess the damage and exchange information and the accomplice will then drive off with the vehicle.
People have been conditioned to pull over to exchange information after an accident, and this creates the perfect opportunity for a car thief.
With any luck you'll be the victim of a robbery but otherwise unharmed.
The Good Samaritan The thieves will stage a fake accident, sometimes even simulating an injury.
The victim will stop their vehicle to render assistance, and the vehicle is taken.
The Ruse The attacker will usually pull along beside the victim and wave or flash their lights to get the victim's attention.
They will try to convince the victim that there is a problem with the victim's vehicle in order to induce the victim to pull over.
The Trap Carjackers may follow a potential victim home, to work, or some other remote location.
When the victim pulls into the driveway or parking spot the carjackers pull up behind the victim's vehicle blocking any potential escape route.
What to Do
Be aware of your surroundings at all times and carry a cell phone.
To reduce your risk of being carjacked, always be aware of your surrounding.
Carjackers, like street robbers, prefer the element of surprise.
Most victims say they never saw the carjacker until they appeared at their car door.
If you are ever confronted by an armed carjacker don't resist, argue, fight or chase the robber.
Give up your keys or money if demanded without resistance.
Risking a serious injury or death is not worth the loss of a vehicle.
Give up your vehicle but at all cost, don't become a kidnapping victim.
In a vast majority of carjacking scenarios, the vehicle is the primary target.
There is a good chance that the victim might not be harmed.
Even if you are armed with pepper spray or a stun gun, don't use it unless you feel you are in physical danger.
Only when you feel that the attacker wants more than your vehicle should you put your women's self defense training to use.
However, if you cannot escape in your vehicle, it is imperative that you get out of the vehicle right away.
You don't want to become a kidnapping victim as well.
If you are unable to exit the vehicle and the carjacker enters the passenger side and makes you drive off, consider crashing your vehicle into a tree or wall at a slow speed.
This will attract witnesses and the carjacker will likely run off.
After you've been carjacked, get to a safe location and call the police.
Immediately following an attack or attempted attack, most people are in shock and not focused on their safety, especially in a bad area.
Get to a safe place before contacting police to report the incident.
Be prepared to give a complete description of the events that transpired.
Where did it happen and what time? How did it happen and who was involved? Make mental notes so that you can describe the attacker to police.
Try to pay close attention to height, weight, scars or other identifying marks.
What is the attacker's hair and eye color? What is his build and complexion? Was there any facial hair? If the attacker had a vehicle, then try to be as specific as possible in describing it to police.
The License number, color, make and model are important.
But just as important are other identifying characteristics such as dents, scratches, body damage, colored or decorative wheels, bumper stickers, etc.
Car Alarms, wheel and steering locks, vehicle tracking systems, kill switches, and anti-theft chip-integrated ignition switches have made it much more complicated for the average thief to steal a car.
They have adapted to the increased difficulties and realized it is far easier to steal a car with the keys already in it, with the added benefit of robbing the driver.
Reasons for carjacking The most common motives for a carjacker to steal a vehicle are to flee a crime, or to use the vehicle to commit a crime.
However, other reasons include; feeding a drug habit, a gang initiation, selling off the parts, or joy-riding.
What makes this crime so dangerous is that over 90% of them involve some type of weapon, usually a hand gun or knife.
Even more frightening is the possibility of the driver being abducted and taken to a remote location, away from any potential witnesses.
Victims then run the risk of being robbed, sexually assaulted or killed.
Most common locations There is little you can do to completely eliminate the risk of being carjacked, but there are many things you can do to reduce it.
The best self defense is avoidance.
Reducing risk is as simple as avoiding areas where a carjacking is most likely to occur.
High crime neighborhoods are especially dangerous because residents often refuse to cooperate with law enforcement for fear of reprisals.
With few witnesses willing to speak to police, criminals are much more brazen than they would be otherwise.
Stay away from remote rural roads with little traffic, especially if traveling alone at night.
Any Isolated areas and dimly lit parking lots are also good to avoid.
It's simply not possible to avoid all potential carjacking locations however, it is vital to stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially when you are required to stop your vehicle.
Traffic jams, red light intersections, highway on-ramps and exits or any location where you are forced to slow down or stop your vehicle, are high risk spots that cannot be avoided.
Red Light Carjacking A red light represents the perfect opportunity for a car thief.
The vehicle is running, the keys are in the ignition, and the car is already on the road, ready for a speedy escape.
He will look for an easy target, usually a female traveling alone, with the windows rolled down for quick access.
No amount of women's self defense training can prepare someone for a red light carjacking.
Because the victim is seated in a confined area, and the fact that the attacker has a weapon, makes even the most highly trained self defense expert vulnerable.
What to Do
- Always drive with your car doors locked and windows up.
- When stopped in traffic, look for possible escape routes.
Leave enough room between your vehicle and the car in front of you to maneuver easily enough to escape.
A good rule of thumb is about one-half of your vehicle's length.
If you can't see the rear tires of the car ahead of you, then you're too close.
- When stopped at a red light, use your rear-view and side mirrors to monitor your surroundings.
This makes it less likely for an attacker to surprise you. - Always keep your cell phone close by and have emergency numbers pre-programmed.
In the event of a carjacking you'll need to call for help quick, so be ready.
A cell phone can also be a deterrent.
If the attacker sees that you are calling the authorities, he may back down. - Be wary of panhandlers or people asking for directions and handing out fliers.
Many carjackers prefer to be near a freeway on-ramp for a quick escape.
Some common locations for carjackings include; parking lots, parking structures, gas stations, liquor stores, shopping malls, strip malls, hotels, ATM locations, and the drive through at fast food restaurants.
What to Do
- Be aware of your surroundings as you walk to and from your vehicle.
- Be cognizant of suspicious looking people sitting in their vehicle.
- Park in area with sufficient lighting, especially if you arrive and/or leave after dark.
- Never park in isolated or visually obstructed areas.
- Park as close as you can to your intended destination.
The farther away you park, the more isolated you'll be.
- Don't park near large fences, walls, dumpsters, shrubs, large vans or trucks, or anything else that will make it difficult for potential witnesses or bystanders to see you.
- Use valet parking whenever possible, the added expense is minimal compared to the alternative.
- Avoid parking structures and park in an attended garage if possible, especially if you're a woman driving alone.
- Enter and exit your vehicle quickly, and make sure the doors are locked at all times.
Don't linger around talking on your cell-phone.
Start the car and leave immediately.
- If someone approaches you and you start to feel uncomfortable, change direction or go into a busy store or where there are many people.
- Be leery of people loitering in the area, especially young males.
This demographic makes up the vast majority of carjackers.
- Most large shopping centers will provide you with a security escort to your vehicle.
If you are alone, don't be embarrassed to ask for an escort.
Take advantage of it, this is why the security guards are there.
- Look around, under and inside your vehicle before getting in.
While loading packages into your car, be aware of your immediate surroundings.
Don't turn your back on any people nearby. - Trust your instincts, if they tell you to be suspicious and walk away, then do so.
Often times the roadblock will appear "official" as if it were government or police checkpoint.
Another method they use is to pull the victim over using an official looking vehicle like police, ambulance or military.
Luckily, these methods are not used in the U.
S.
However, there are other methods a clever carjacker will use to pull over unsuspecting victims, and it will usually occur in an area that suits their purposes; dimly lit, no people around, no escape routes, etc.
The Bump In this scenario the thief usually has an accomplice.
Using their vehicle, they will bump another vehicle gently from the rear, in order to make the victim think there's been a collision.
The unsuspecting victim then exits the vehicle to assess the damage and exchange information and the accomplice will then drive off with the vehicle.
People have been conditioned to pull over to exchange information after an accident, and this creates the perfect opportunity for a car thief.
With any luck you'll be the victim of a robbery but otherwise unharmed.
The Good Samaritan The thieves will stage a fake accident, sometimes even simulating an injury.
The victim will stop their vehicle to render assistance, and the vehicle is taken.
The Ruse The attacker will usually pull along beside the victim and wave or flash their lights to get the victim's attention.
They will try to convince the victim that there is a problem with the victim's vehicle in order to induce the victim to pull over.
The Trap Carjackers may follow a potential victim home, to work, or some other remote location.
When the victim pulls into the driveway or parking spot the carjackers pull up behind the victim's vehicle blocking any potential escape route.
What to Do
- If you are bumped in traffic, especially by young males, be suspicious of the accident.
- Beware of the Good Samaritan who offers to repair your car or a flat tire.
It's okay to get help just be alert. - Don't pull over in any isolated area.
Get the other drivers attention and motion to him to follow you, and drive to a gas station or busy parking lot before getting out. - If you have a gated driveway, stop in the road first to ensure the gate opens fully before pulling in.
- When parking in your garage, use your mirrors to watch behind your vehicle as you park.
Don't exit your vehicle until the garage door is completely closed - It may not be a good idea to stop and assist in an accident.
It may be safer to call and report the location, number of cars involved, and any injuries you observed.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times and carry a cell phone.
To reduce your risk of being carjacked, always be aware of your surrounding.
Carjackers, like street robbers, prefer the element of surprise.
Most victims say they never saw the carjacker until they appeared at their car door.
If you are ever confronted by an armed carjacker don't resist, argue, fight or chase the robber.
Give up your keys or money if demanded without resistance.
Risking a serious injury or death is not worth the loss of a vehicle.
Give up your vehicle but at all cost, don't become a kidnapping victim.
In a vast majority of carjacking scenarios, the vehicle is the primary target.
There is a good chance that the victim might not be harmed.
Even if you are armed with pepper spray or a stun gun, don't use it unless you feel you are in physical danger.
Only when you feel that the attacker wants more than your vehicle should you put your women's self defense training to use.
However, if you cannot escape in your vehicle, it is imperative that you get out of the vehicle right away.
You don't want to become a kidnapping victim as well.
If you are unable to exit the vehicle and the carjacker enters the passenger side and makes you drive off, consider crashing your vehicle into a tree or wall at a slow speed.
This will attract witnesses and the carjacker will likely run off.
After you've been carjacked, get to a safe location and call the police.
Immediately following an attack or attempted attack, most people are in shock and not focused on their safety, especially in a bad area.
Get to a safe place before contacting police to report the incident.
Be prepared to give a complete description of the events that transpired.
Where did it happen and what time? How did it happen and who was involved? Make mental notes so that you can describe the attacker to police.
Try to pay close attention to height, weight, scars or other identifying marks.
What is the attacker's hair and eye color? What is his build and complexion? Was there any facial hair? If the attacker had a vehicle, then try to be as specific as possible in describing it to police.
The License number, color, make and model are important.
But just as important are other identifying characteristics such as dents, scratches, body damage, colored or decorative wheels, bumper stickers, etc.
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