Ich bin ja jetzt bei der Polizei registiert und fühle mich somit unglaublich sicher (falls die Herren nich Mitinitiatoren kleiner Zwischenfälle sind, kann man das auch sein...)
CAR JACKING; SAFETY TIPS
The Zambia Police Service has again advised of an increase in car thefts across the country. We therefore wish to repeat the safety tips we intermittently circulate to all staff, these are as follows;
a) Do not drive in the night unless this is absolutely necessary.
b) If you have an option of vehicles always use low- profile, common sedan vehicles after dusk as opposed to four by fours. The latter are targeted because they can drive off road where the bandits feel safer after an incident.
c) Ensure the entrance to your residence is well lit and if possible paint the wall white. This will help you spot any one waylaying you at your gate.
d) Avoid bushy shrubs, rockeries and potted plants at the gate as these will provide hiding places and ammunition for bandits.
e) Be wary of vehicles that have stopped in close proximity to your entrance. Should you spot one drive past your gate and return later. If the vehicle is still there call the police.
f) You must also be wary of pedestrians carrying objects that are not easily identifiable and in close proximity of your gate as you are about to enter your gate.
g) As you approach your residence ensure that you are not being followed. You can do this by studying the design of headlamps of the car behind you, a good distance from the residence. If the vehicle remains behind you as you approach, drive past your residence and make three to five right turns. If the vehicle is still behind you drive to the nearest police station.
h) Additionally if the car behind you switches off it’s headlamps as you slow down to turn to your residence drive past and apply the simple rules in (g) above.
i) If you must stop while the car is running, at your gate, robots or any other obstruction on the road, allow for sufficient distance to turn and drive off should you notice anything out of the ordinary. The simple rule is if there is a vehicle in front of you stop while you can still see it’s rear tyres.
j) Call your residence ahead of your arrival so that someone opens the gate for you as you approach it. Avoid having to wait outside the gate after night fall as you may tempt bandits who originally were not intending to rob you.
k) Ensure that you use a similar pattern of hooting that is identifiable by your guard or worker who opens the gate for you so that you signal from a distance as opposed to hooting when you at the gate.
l) Do not travel with children after night fall in high risk vehicles unless this is absolutely necessary or unavoidable.
m) If another motorist bumps you lightly in the rear do not stop, go to a safe location such as a filling station, police station or a crowded place where bandits will not be able to brandish their weapons.
n) If any substance is sprayed on your wind shield while your vehicle is in motion do not switch on your wipers as this will smear the substance across your scream and force you to stop whereupon the bandits will attack. Instead drive to a safe area.
o) Plse note that it very is unlikely that bandits will shoot at you or attempt anything while the car is moving as this gives them away and the vehicle becomes of little value to them if damaged. So as long as you are moving there is less likelihood that you will be attached.
p) Should you get caught up in a carjacking do not resist and keep assuring the bandits of your cooperation.
q) Please show these tips to your spouses and dependants who drive.
Paul K. Luo
BSI& FM
9th September 2010
