Road Rage is a common problem on South African roads. In Bloemfontein incidents of car hijacking are increasing at an alarming rate. Following is the best security tips to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of criminals and attackers whilst driving:
Always leave enough room between you and the car in front of you so you can turn and drive off in an emergency. This will prevent you from being boxed in. Be very vigilant when approaching intersections where you have to stop. These are favourite places for car hijackers to strike.
Avoid pulling up window-to-window, which can promote harassment/road rage.
Avoid settling scores or showing people who is the boss by tailgating, brake checking, etc. These immature and egotistical gestures can lead to serious violence, whether you were in the right or not.
Avoid distractions such as texting or applying make-up while driving; not only is it dangerous, but you lose all situational awareness.
Practice the motions of any weapons you have. Example: if you carry a gun in your car, practice getting it out, unholstering it, and knowing if it is on or off safety. (Conduct this drill safely with the weapon unloaded!)
Consider tinting windows to provide occupied/unoccupied security. If someone has a hard time seeing in it leaves them to assume how many people are in the vehicle because they cannot actually see.
Avoid the temptation to get out of your car if someone else does. If you get out, you lose your tactical advantage. Staying in the vehicle gives you:
o Locked cover from strikes and aggression.
o The ability to escape and/or use your vehicle as a weapon.
o The ability to access weapons you may have.
If you are being tailgated, threatened, or you just feel uneasy about a vehicle following you, do not speed up or try to lose them. Find a crowded plaza or store front to pull into and let them go by. By doing this you surround yourself with witnesses which makes a would-be road-rager think twice. Keep in mind that you will most likely never see that person again, so take your ego and pride out of it.
Copyright © 2011 COBRA Defense Systems
