Hijackings remain a major concern for car owners in South Africa, with approximately 60 vehicles being hijacked per day, according to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
It was generally believed that the more flashy the vehicle, the more attractive it was to hijackers, but it appears this is no longer the mentality among criminals.
According to IOL: “White and silver vehicles have traditionally been the biggest targets for hijackings, but there is a growing demand among criminals for vehicles in non-traditional colors such as yellow and orange, according to MotorHappy, a division of retail giant Motus. While hijackers once avoided them, due to their visibility, there has reportedly been a shift in criminal behavior recently.”
The main reason behind hijackings stems from the lack of vigilance of vehicle owners who have let down their security.
Charnel Hattingh, head of marketing and communications at Fidelity Services Group, said victims do not realize the role they play when they fall prey to hijackers.
“Crime victims often say they came out of nowhere,” says Hattingh. ‘No, they didn’t. They were in that blue car you drove past as you pulled into the driveway, or the guy with the gun was sitting on the sidewalk and you barely noticed him.” (Top car)
She says “vigilance” is the “best defense” for motorists driving on South African roads.
In other words, hijacking is less about the car you drive. Instead, it’s more about being alert and aware of your surroundings.
Hattingh says these six things make you vulnerable to hijackers or vehicle theft:
- Being inattentive and preoccupied as you pull into your street and driveway.
- Lock yourself in by driving straight to the gate and waiting for it to open.
- Not noticing that you are being followed.
- Following the same routine day in and day out.
- Not checking that your car is actually locked before you walk away.
- No vehicle safety features are fitted.
Thanks to Top car.
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