Protecting Yourself Against Hijackings
Amidst the increase in hijackings in South Africa, it is
very important to know some of the following aspects:
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How do the hijackers operate?
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When am I most at risk?
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How do I avoid being hijacked?
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What do I do when confronted?
Specialists Richard and Melinda Rossouw of the National
Hijack Prevention Academy [NHPA] have a vast experience in avoidance
measures and also present driver training modules such as (a) Collision
Avoidance/Skidpan and (b) Defensive Driving. They have made available to the
public via their website, www.hijack.co.za
the following information on how to avoid a hijack situation and have kindly
agreed for the Department to reproduce the information. It is recommended
that you contact them via their website should you require further
information on these and other courses.
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2km from your house strategy. Be extra alert. Switch
off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings. If you have
noticed any vehicle behind you, use the techniques you have learned
during the hijack prevention & survival course to determine whether
you are being followed.
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Remember to stop your vehicle just on the inside of
the gate and select reverse whilst waiting for the gate to close. This
creates confusion and may buy you a few seconds for the gate to close
completely behind you.
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Check your driveway and street before you leave or
enter your premises.
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Make sure your driveway is well lit and clear from
shrubbery where perpetrators can hide.
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Be aware of unknown pedestrians close to your
residential address – do not turn into your driveway – pass and go
back later.
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Liaise with your neighbours – know them.
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Be aware of vehicles parked close to your address
with occupants inside. It might be perpetrators observing the area.
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Be alert if your animals do not greet you at the gate
as usual. It might be that the perpetrators over-powered them.
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Phone your home and ask for someone to make sure your
driveway is safe and to open and close the gate for you.
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When returning home after dark, ensure that an
outside light is on, or have someone meet you at the gate. Check with
your armed response company if they are rendering rendezvous services.
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If at any time you have to open the gate yourself,
switch off the vehicle, leave the key in the ignition and close the
door. Then open the gate.
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If you have small children in the vehicle, take the
key with you (this is the only exception). You then need the key as a
"negotiating tool". The perpetrators want your vehicle and you
want your children.
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If your children are older, it is advised that they
exit the vehicle with you when opening the gate so that you are all
separated from the vehicle should a hijack occur.
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Check rear-view mirror to ensure you are not being
followed.
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When exiting your vehicle, be cautious and aware of
surrounding obstructions and shrubbery that may be concealing a
hijacker.
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Never sit in your parked vehicle without being
conscious of your surroundings. Sleeping in a stationary vehicle is
particularly dangerous.
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When approaching your driveway, be on the lookout for
suspicious vehicles / persons. This is very important as the majority of
hijackers approach their victims in home driveways.
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Have your key ready, but not visible.
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Inspect the outside and inside of the vehicle before
unlocking. (Tyre, tyre, number plate, other side of the vehicle – as
explained during the hijack prevention & survival course)
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Know your destination and directions to it; and be
alert should you get lost.
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Always drive with your windows closed and doors
locked.
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Make a mental note of any Police Stations in the
vicinity.
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When stopping behind another vehicle, leave half a
vehicle length in front of your vehicle to make an emergency escape if
necessary.
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When dropping off a passenger, make sure they are
safely in their own vehicle before departing.
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Avoid driving through high crime or unfamiliar areas.
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Avoid driving late at night / early hours of the
morning when the roads are quiet.
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Drive in the centre lane away from pedestrians where
possible.
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If possible, never drive alone.
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NEVER, EVER pick up hitchhikers or strangers. (VERY
IMPORTANT)
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Never follow routine routes when driving; change on a
regular basis.
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If approached by a stranger while in your vehicle,
drive off if possible or use your hooter to attract attention.
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Lock your doors, close your windows and do not have
bags or briefcases visible in the vehicle. Use the boot for this. Cell
phone should also not be visible.
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There are times and days that these items are visible
in the vehicle. Try and open the window they might "smash &
grab" about 3 cm, so the window can absorb the sudden impact. If
you’ve left your stopping distance you may be able to escape.
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Be constantly on the lookout for suspicious looking
characters or vehicles and do not hesitate to report them to the SAPS.
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Always be on the alert for potential danger, and be
on the lookout for possible escape routes and safe refuge along the way.
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When approaching a red traffic light at night, slow
down so that you only reach it when it turns green.
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Do not take anything from people standing at traffic
lights or places where they gather (job seekers on gathering points).
Perpetrators are usually standing among these people.
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Make sure you are not followed. If you suspect you
are being followed, drive to the nearest Police Station or any busy
public area.
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If any person or vehicle in a high-risk area arouses
your suspicions, treat it as hostile and take appropriate action, e.g.
when approaching a red traffic light, slow down, check for oncoming
traffic and if clear, drive through the intersection. A fine will be
preferable to an attack. Treat stop streets in the same way. Thereafter
call for assistance if necessary. Always report these incidents to the
SAPS. But remember, this is not an excuse to ignore the rules of the
road. The onus will be on you to prove in a court of law that you
had justifiable reason to act the way you did and this is only in the
case of a real, life-threatening emergency.
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Always have your identity document and driver’s
license in your possession as well as a pen and notebook to take
necessary notes.
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If possible, avoid driving in the dark. Hijackers may
stage a minor accident, for e.g. If your vehicle is bumped from behind
and you do not feel comfortable with the individual involved in the
situation, indicate he / she must follow you and drive to the nearest
Police Station or any busy public area for help.
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Never open your vehicle window or door for any
stranger. If a suspicious person is near your unoccupied vehicle, do not
approach the vehicle. Walk to the nearest public area and ask for
assistance.
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If you encounter obstacles in the road, e.g. rocks,
tyres, do not get out of your vehicle to remove them. Reverse and drive
away in the opposite direction.
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Do not stop to eat or rest on deserted roads.
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Do not leave your vehicle unattended at a filling
station.
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Cell phones should be carried on the body.
Perpetrators will not allow you to remove your cell phone and valuables
from the vehicle.
If your vehicle is hijacked or stolen, promptly report it
to the SAPS. Make sure you have the vehicle details: model, colour, vehicle
identification and registration numbers available to assist with the
recovery of the vehicle.
When forced to drive with a hijacker, be observant
without making direct eye contact and try to memorise as many details as
possible. It is important to describe the hijacker as accurately as
possible. When observing a hijacker, take note of his head and face – the
shape of the eyes, mouth, nose and ears. Take note of possible
irregularities. Look at the hair, skin colour, complexion and possible scars
and tattoos. Observe the build, gender, body movement, clothing and any
conversation that may take place.
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Remember the direction from which they came and fled,
as well as the time and place the incident happened.
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Remember to make mental and physical notes
immediately after the incident to ensure accurate and detailed
information for the Police investigation.
It can be helpful to have a survival plan in the back of
your mind should such an incident occur. It is difficult not to become
paranoid about being taken hostage. However, it is just as easy to become
complacent.
One very important fact to remember when being hijacked:
Should the conclusion of the drama be by way of armed intervention, and
escape is not possible, immediately drop to the ground, remain still and
obey the orders of the leader.
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Do not lose your temper, threaten or challenge the
hijacker.
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DO EXACTLY AS TOLD BY THE HIJACKERS!
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Do not resist, especially if the hijacker has a
weapon. Surrender your vehicle and move away. Try to put as much
distance between yourself and the hijacker(s) as speedily as possible.
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Do not reach for your purse or valuables. Leave
everything in the vehicle.
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Try to remain calm at all times and do not show signs
of aggression.
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Be compliant to all demands set by the perpetrator.
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Do not make eye contact with the hijacker. He may
perceive this behaviour as a threat and retaliate aggressively.
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Keep your hands still and visible to the hijacker, so
as to give him assurance of your passive content.
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Do not speak too fast (if you are able to talk) and
do not make sudden movements.
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Gather as much information as possible without posing
a threat.
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How many people?
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How many firearms and description thereof?
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What were the perpetrators wearing (clothing)?
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To which direction did they drive off?
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Take note of the language they use (the accent).
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Phone the SA Police Service on 0860010111. They will
dispatch the medical services if needed. Other emergency numbers you
could phone are 112 ANY Network (Vodacom+MTN+Cell C) or 147 Vodacom
ONLY.
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Activate the vehicle-tracking device if the vehicle
is fitted with one.
For more information on the Hijack Prevention &
Survival Course, please contact:
Richard & Melinda Brussow
Cell: 073 1612 344
Tel & Fax: (012) 661 1388
E-mail: hijack@lantic.net
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