Tips on safety in the car

Make sure that your car is in good condition and the petrol is at least half a tank. Do not be too low on fuel whereby you have to stop and fill up, especially in an unfamiliar area.

Take out your keys first when you are ready to go or you are leaving the building to go to the car park. The habit of looking for the keys in your bag when you are already at the car will enable a criminal to attack you.

Look around you before you enter the car. If you are suspicious about your surroundings at that point in time, walk past your car immediately and head to a safe place.

Lock the car as soon as you get in. Make sure the doors are locked even before you start the engine.

When stopping on the road, make sure your doors are locked and there is a safe distance between your car and the car in front. This will prevent a criminal from entering your car and attacking you.

Park your car in a safe and lighted place even though you will only be gone a short while. Look around you before getting out of the car.

If someone suddenly appears nearby with an intention to attack, start the engine and leave the area immediately.

Make sure the back and front seats are vacant and as usual, the keys should already be in your hands if you are being followed in the car park. If you are still far from your car, try to move slowly and stealthily underneath the nearest car. This position will make it difficult for someone to attack you.

If the attacker manages to enter your car while you are in it, use all your strength to get out of the car. However, if you cannot, drive the car into the road divider, wall, post or anything at all to create a minor accident.

When the attacker is distracted, use this opportunity to get out from the car as quickly as you can. Run as fast as you can while screaming for help. Try to get someone’s attention to help you.

Do not stop to offer help to a stranger whose car has broken down. Instead you can help by driving to a telephone booth and calling the police or some other form of assistance.

If your tyre punctures while you are driving, drive the car slowly to a place that is lighted and crowded. It is better to spoil the tyre than to take the risk at the expense of your safety.

If you are involved in an accident, sit in the car till the police arrive. In a minor accident, the other driver will often ask for your driving licence and insurance. You can show them to him through the window screen.

If you are tailed during your journey, do not drive home. Instead drive to the nearest police or fire station.

Sound the car horn. Or drive to a petrol station or to a crowded place where you can telephone the police. Do not leave your car unless you are sure of entering a building safely. Try to identify the car and get its registration number.

If possible, get a mobile phone in case of emergencies. (Make sure the battery is charged and you can make a call).

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Source Dest.: http://www.my-hut.com/default2.asp?tree=558

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