The latest crime statistics covering the last two quarters both paint a familiar picture: carjackings in South Africa show little sign of relenting. An average of 60 vehicles are hijacked every day, and the list of most-targeted vehicles and high-risk areas remain largely consistent.
The Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Polo continue to dominate the statistics because of their popularity, resale value, and demand for parts. Newcomers to the list include Kia Picanto, the Isuzu D-Max, and the Toyota Corolla Cross. The Ford Ranger, meanwhile, is not new to the list, but its numbers are growing as its popularity continues to increase.
High-risk areas remain consistent as well. In the Western Cape, the N2 leading to Cape Town International Airport, nicknamed ‘the gauntlet’ or ‘the road to hell’ by locals and the media, remains dangerous. In Gauteng, Alexandra features high while KwaZulu-Natal’s Inanda remains a hijacking hotspot.
For motorists, the most important question is what can one do to reduce their risk? The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, answers: “The most important thing to understand is that no person, vehicle or area is immune to carjacking risk.
“Falling into complacency because your vehicle is not on the list or you seldom frequent high-risk areas is your biggest vulnerability. Vigilance is non-negotiable for your family, your employees and yourself,” says Herbert.
Here are some practical steps to reduce your risk as much as possible:
- Drive in the middle lane wherever possible: this creates distance from the road edges and makes it more difficult for criminals operating from the roadside, particularly on high-risk routes.
- Drive anticipating traffic: if an upcoming traffic light is red or there is congestion ahead, adjust your speed to limit the amount of time you stand still on the road.
- Stay alert at intersections and in slow-moving traffic: these are high risk scenarios. Keep windows closed, doors locked and leave enough space between yourself and the vehicle ahead to pull away quickly if needed.
- Vary your routes and times: predictable routines make you easier to profile and follow. There is higher risk of being hijacked between 4pm and 9pm making awareness of peak-risk windows important to safety.
- Trust your instincts: if something feels wrong, it probably is. Do not feel obligated to stop or engage.
While vehicles spiking or debris thrown from bridges does not enable carjacking, as the tyres will be shredded or the car damaged, its relevance is still vital. Herbert says: “Theft of goods and assault is highly traumatic.
“Don’t stop if this happens. As long as your vehicle can move, keep driving until you reach a safe, well-populated area. Stopping in an isolated spot is often exactly what criminals count on.”
The statistics are a useful guide, but do not guarantee safety. “Unfortunately, even with the greatest vigilance, you can still fall victim to carjacking or crime on the roads. While there are calls for more intervention, as a motorist, it remains your responsibility to be vigilant and know how to extract oneself from a carjacking,” says Herbert.
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