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You are on your way home after a long day at work. You stop at a traffic light, and suddenly, you have a gun pointed at you, and you’re being asked to hand over your car and valuables. This is the reality of South African drivers, and it can also happen to you. 

Shockingly, there’s been an estimated 30% increase in hijacking crimes at the end of 2022. These crimes are common in the Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu Natal urban areas. To gain some insight into hijacking safety tips and typical hotspots, read on. 

Be Careful on the Road

It’s become increasingly challenging to stay safe on the road. If you travel at late hours, there is an increased chance that you may be a victim of a hijacking crime. Anything can happen, and you should always stay alert. 

When focused on work and other commitments while driving, you quickly get distracted from looking out for potentially dangerous situations. Yet, you must ensure you are alert in areas with high crime. If you are stuck in traffic, leave enough car-length room to escape in case of a hijacking. 

Stay Alert when Parking and Entering Your Car

Did you know that hijackers often wait for their victims in parking areas? Generally, you’re in too much of a rush and let your guard down when you enter your car after leaving the office or the shops. As a result, you don’t notice when there’s someone suspicious watching you. 

Be Mindful on Your Driveway

You must be mindful as you enter your driveway. There’s a high risk of being a hijacking victim when you are trying to park in your driveway. In most cases, criminals take advantage of the moment you need to open your gate and garage doors to attack. 

If you notice any strange car approaching you, drive away before entering your driveway. When you open the gate, ensure the road is clear of anyone suspicious. Most importantly, don’t switch off your car before you’re safely inside your home and your gate is locked. 

Keep a Watchful Eye when Approaching Unknown Roads

If you drive on unknown roads, you must be alert in case you get lost. It’s crucial to know how to get to where you’re going. Keep your doors locked and windows closed, and watch for danger on any road.

Always Check if You’re Being Followed 

The last thing you want to deal with is being followed as you drive home. If you suspect you’re being followed, you must take immediate safety measures, such as using the alert function from your iER App. 

Types of Hijackings

You’d be surprised to know that there are different types of hijackings. iER has compiled a list of these categories so you know what to be aware of and protect yourself accordingly.  

Operational Hijacking: This is the most common type of hijacking. Criminals are usually car thieves who steal and sell your car for cash or parts. 

Syndicate Hijacking: Hijackers often target specific vehicles shipped out of the country. There’s a lot of money and corruption of officials that backs this type of hijacking.

Transport Hijacking: In most cases, hijackers need a car to commit other crimes, such as bank robberies. They can take your vehicle to use it as a getaway for another crime. 

Freight Hijacking: Sometimes criminals want valuable things. They can hijack a vehicle to access what is being transported. 

Showmanship Hijacking: Peer pressure causes people to make many mistakes. For instance, friends can convince each other to hijack cars to look “cool”. 

Hijacking Hotspots to Look For

There are places where hijack crimes are more popular. It helps if you stay safe when you drive in the following situations. 

• Traffic and busy intersections. 
• Your driveway. 
• Parking areas. 
• On the road. 
• Petrol stations. 

In summary, anyone can be a victim of hijacking. It’s easy to think it won’t happen to you. You must not let your guard down when driving or parking your car. Ensure you know your surroundings and quickly identify any potential danger. 

iER has created this guide to help you with safety tips and typical hijacking hotspots. However, it does not mean that criminals won’t target you. You must use the iER App to access over 13 000 emergency service providers to provide immediate assistance when you need it.