You wouldn’t walk down the street counting a roll of hundred dollar bills, but you would probably drive a vehicle worth thousands of dollars down the same street, and still feel safe. However, there are dangers to doing just that, including carjackings. There are several ways a carjacking happens. Perhaps you’re sitting at a quiet intersection, waiting for your light to turn green. A carjacker appears at your window, surprising you. Maybe they have a gun pointed in your face. They force you out of the car and drive away in it.
To avoid a carjacking, drive with your car doors locked and your windows rolled up, and always be aware of your surroundings, even when driving down familiar roads. Do not open your door or roll down your window to talk to anyone except a uniformed police officer. Wear your seatbelt, which prevents a carjacker from dragging you out of the car quickly. Avoid driving into unsafe areas if you don’t have to. If you are driving in heavy traffic, always leave yourself room to maneuver and escape. This is helpful not only for avoiding carjackings, but also avoiding an accident when the person ahead of you slams on their brakes.
If your car is bumped into from behind, and there is no traffic nearby, never pull over right there. It may be a carjacker whose intention is to get you out of the car. Instead, motion for them to follow you to a gas station or other nearby occupied and well lit area. Never get out of the car for any reason at the request of another driver on the road.
Carjackings can also happen in deserted parking lots. Park close to the building, out in the open, not near walls or large bushes where a carjacker could hide. To avoid carjackings, always park in well lit areas, especially if you’ll be parked there after dark. Don’t be afraid to ask a security guard to escort you to your car. You may feel silly doing it, but those security guards are there to watch out for your safety.
When walking to your car, be aware of occupied cars near yours, particularly if they have parked next to you in an otherwise empty lot. If you aren’t paying attention, someone could exit one of these parked cars, quickly walk to your car, and violently confront you. If parked next to you, all they have to do is open their door to catch you off guard. Watch for people loitering in the parking lot, especially if they don’t seem to have a reason to be there. If someone suspicious does seem to be approaching you, change directions, or walk back into the store and alert security to the situation outside.
Once you reach your car, get in quickly and lock the doors. Don’t take a long time loading packages into the car with your back turned to anyone who might approach you. Start your car and drive away immediately rather than sitting in the parking lot talking on the phone or reapplying your makeup.
If you are confronted by an armed carjacker, do not resist. Your car and possessions can be replaced, but your life is irreplaceable. Give up your keys and money without resistance, but make sure that you are not in the car when they drive away. To prevent a carjacking from becoming a kidnapping, you may need to use pepper spray or a similar device. Another strategy is to throw the keys in one direction while you run in the other direction. If you are forced into the car, and you are the driver, crash your car in the middle of a busy intersection. Bystanders will come to your aid and call police.
You may think that only luxury vehicles are the targets of carjackings, but actually nearly every make, model, and year may fall victim to such an attack, including both domestics and imports. In fact, the list of the most stolen cars includes many models that are over a decade old. Carjackings leave none of the telltale signs of a break in, making it easier for the thieves to sell your car. Especially if your car is on the list of frequently stolen lists, consider Lojack or another theft tracking system that can locate your car if it is stolen.
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