Parking and driving your car safely:4selfdefence

Complete a risk assessment on where you park and drive: Do not make this complicated just think about who you have in the car, before you drive off ask yourself are the doors locked, is my purse or anything that could be seen to be valuable on the seat or in view if i have to pull up at a corner of a set of lights. Make sure everyone has their seat belts on. When parking think about what time you have to come back to the car, is the area busy, is their adequate lighting when i get back, if it is a dark or quiet area park somewhere else.

1.What or who is vulnerable and needs protecting?

A: You or who ever is travelling with you, do you have children?

2.What or who is the threat?

A: Junkies, professional thieves or opportunists.

3.What is the likelihood or risk of being attacked?

A.

• You could be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
• If you drive with your doors unlocked your chances increase
• If you pull up at lights with your purse on the front seat your chances increase.
• If you park in unlit carparks your chances increase.

4. What would be the consequence, cost or impact if attacked?

A. Loss of valuables, loss of car, injured, raped, killed.

6. Can we remove the threat completely?

A. No

7. If the threat can’t be removed what preventive methods can we put in place?

Read the following heading further down the page

• Entering your car in a car park or on the street.
• Driving your car to avoid a car jacking
•  Avoid car break in while parked:

8. Time line for putting preventive methods in place.

A. Should be ongoing, just a simple check before you drive, park or enter your car.

9.Monitor, review and improve.

A. Ongoing, review your current procedures and improve where possible.

All to often we hear about someone having their car stolen, cases of road rage and car jacking, it is important that you take proper security precaution when driving or parking your car.

When you are parking your car you must keep in mind the time when you will be picking your car up. It is preferable that you park your car in a heavy pedestrian area that is well-lighted.

• Moving to and getting into your car
• Pay attention to the area around you
• Carry yourself with a sense of confidence
• Keep your head up and look alert, regularly scan the area as your eyes are your first line of defense

Recognizing a situation in front of you will give you more time and more options to avoid trouble. Check around your car before approaching it to make sure that no one is hiding near by.
If you see anything suspicious persons and there is no one else around retreat and wait for other people then approach your car or call the police for help.

When you are walking toward your car, have your keys ready and placed in your dominant hand. You will be ready for a quick entrance into your vehicle.

Entering your car in a car park or on the street

• Put your packages in the trunk
• Get into the car and secure your child
• Lock all doors immediately and pull away
• If someone wants your car, give it to him or her. Don’t get into the car
• If a child is involved, you must become the aggressor and say, `you can have this car, but I am keeping my child!' A thief doesn't want to be a kidnapper as it would be worse for him when he's arrested.

Driving your car to avoid a car jacking

• have your doors locked 
• windows rolled up nearly all the way when you're driving
• put your hand bag and valuables out of site
• don't stop for a minor accidents, call the police if you are concerned
• don't pull over for a plain car that is acting as if it is a police car, drive to the nearest police station
• don't pick up hitch hikers

Avoid car break in while parked

• don't park in a street where broken window glass is on the street
• park in a well trafficked area
• never leave any valuables in a parked car
• don't leave any bags in your car ( possible some one will break in to check the bag).
• don" t leave a portable navigator in your car.
• leave glove boxes and consoles empty and open
• don't leave cloths in the car

If you see someone breaking into a car even your own do not approach them as they may be armed, if you have a camera take a photo of them if you consider it is safe to do so. Yell out if you feel it is safe to do so. In all cases call the police.