RESEARCH has shown that there are sharp increases in crime during December, including hijacking.
For whatever reasons that explain why, you can take action to try protect yourself and your family if you should find yourself facing this danger.
Don’t stop in your driveway
You need to be stopped to be hijacked.
The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, said: “Hijackers need your vehicle stopped which is why you should never wait until the gate is open.
“Instead, wait in the road next to your driveway so you can go at any moment.
“If possible you should also try to avoid stopping completely at intersections. If possible, drive slowly up to the intersection to avoid stopping at all. But remember, for these techniques to be effective, you must be aware of your surroundings and able to spot a potential threat before it reaches your window.”
Reverse parking
“Shopping centers are places where crime levels increase drastically and December is the time when shopping centres are most full of people.
“If you find yourself at a shopping centre in the days before Christmas, find a parking space against a wall and reverse-park your car into the space.
“When you return to your car you can offload your purchases while keeping an eye open for potential threats. The wall makes if difficult for someone to surprise you from behind.”
Practise
“Children are also more likely to be with you during December so you must consider being hijacked with your children.
“Before you find yourself in this situation, teach your children where they must sit in the car and what to do if they are in a hijacking. Agree on a special ‘keyword’, which tells those who know, to get into action. Remember a car is replaceable but a life isn’t. When the keyword is spoken, everyone should run out and away from the car as quickly and safely as possible.
“Let’s finish the year on a happier note, but be careful not to drop your guard as you enjoy the holiday season. You do not need to be afraid to step out of the house but you do need to be ready when criminals appear.”