Checklist
  • Hijacking and muggings are on the increase - do not assume that you are somehow immune to either. Prepare to defend yourself from one and you are already protecting yourself against the other. At the same time your awareness is heightened and you will be able to avoid the irritating problem of urban collisions from careless drivers.
  • Space is critical to modern driving and to your personal safety. If you give up the space around the vehicle, you give up the options to do anything about avoiding trouble. Use your initiative and try to stop far less than other vehicles, use space more and constantly think where you would go if things go wrong. If no escape routes exist, make even more space for your personal use and don't be afraid to use it when necessary.
  • Hijackers do not need isolation to be effective, urban hijackings are becoming more popular. Be more aware of the activities of those around you and  in particular those approaching your vehicle when you are slowing or are forced to stop.
  • Be selective about where you stop, where you leave your vehicle and who you inform  as  you do so. Making a noise and attracting attention can dissuade a would be assailant from making his move at that moment and that may be all that you need to exit a situation safely.
  • Be vigilant about personal security and that of your vehicle. It may seem that your car is as you left it, but any sign of forced entry could indicate an unwelcome occupant in the vehicle.  If in doubt, alert the authorities and make a fuss.
  • Be prepared to act in order to defend yourself. The shock of the attack can cause people to freeze, you cannot allow this to happen and you must carry out whatever your plan of es­cape was immediately  if it is to be of any use to you.
  • Involve other people in your problem wherever possible, this can be enough to prevent the hijack from proceeding.Involve other people in your problem wherever possible, this can be enough to prevent the hijack from proceeding.
  • Use the vehicle as a weapon, if that is the only option - but just in case, use it to threaten and not to harm or injure unless you feel that the actual threat to yourself justifies it.
  • Prevent easy access to your vehicle by moving the vehicle backwards and forwards until you can achieve your planned escape route. This also raises others awareness of your plight.
  • Do not panic - it only adds to your existing problems and clouds your thinking. You have a plan - use it.