Easter safety tips

Safety Awareness in a Vehicle 

o    Ensure that your vehicle is in a good condition when you plan to go on a journey. 
o    Ensure that the fuel tank of your vehicle always has sufficient fuel. 
o    Always lock your vehicles doors and keep the windows closed. 
o    Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute. 
o    Avoid to stop at remote places. 
o    Park your vehicle in places that are well lit. 
o    If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide -only 5 cm is enough to have a discussion. 
o    If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather be rude and drive away. 
o    Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you. 
o    Vary the route you travel to work and back, if this is possible. 
o    If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible or press your hooter to attract attention. 
o    If strangers loiter near or at your driveway, rather drive past. If they loiter for a long time, report it to your nearest police station. 
o    Car jackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car. 
o    If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual(s) involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help. 
o    Do not reach for your purse or valuables. Leave everything behind if forced from the car. 
o    Your life is more valuable than your possessions. 
o    Do not resist, especially if the thief has a weapon. 
o    Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away. 
o    A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime. 
o    Do not give strangers a lift. 
o    A gear lock is an affordable and a very effective anti-theft device. 
o    If possible, put up a mirror against the front wall of your garage to see if someone is following you into the garage. 
o    Do not open your garage doors before your gates are closed. 

Safety Awareness when Parking/Driving your Vehicle

o    Avoid parking your motor vehicle where there are no security officers guarding other cars. 
o    Do not leave your firearm in the motor vehicles glove compartment (cubbyhole) or anywhere in the vehicle when you park the vehicle (this is against the law!). 
o    Make sure that all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your car. 
o    Valuable items like a laptop and camera should be put in the boot of your car. 
o    Be aware of people coming to you and informing you that you have a flat tire, the intention can be to steal items that they see inside the car or rob your car. 
o    Always close your windows when driving in the city centre. 
o    Do not open your windows for hawkers along the road and at the robots. 
o    Keep the doors locked and windows closed at all times. 
o    Do not use a cellular phone unless you have a hands-free kit. 
o    Lock your valuables in the cars boot before departure. 
o    At night, park in well-lit areas. 
o    If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice. 
o    Practice the same prevention skills you apply in parking lots or garages at home. 
o    Become familiar with your route before you start the trip. 
o    Get a map of the route and study it. 
o    Store luggage in the cars boot where it is out of sight. 
o    Do not leave your goods/valuable items visible in the car. 
o    Do not leave your handbag/briefcase visible in the car. 
o    Do not leave your keys in the ignition. 
o    Always lock the doors and close the windows when getting out of the car. 
o    Remove detachable radios and the radio=s face when getting out of the car. 
o    Try to fit an alarm and/or anti-theft device in your car. 
o    Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your car, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag. 
o    Parking lots with a parking attendant or supervision/ someone patrolling are best, otherwise try to park in locations that are well lit and/or well populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide. 

Road Safety: Aggressive Driving Behaviour

The followings aspects might trigger aggressive behaviour:

o    Following too close to the vehicle in front. 
o    Passing vehicles on the right. 
o    Cutting in and out of traffic and failing to signal while engaging in multiple lane changes. 
o    Crossing safety markings while merging onto ramps. 
o    Failing to yield at ramps and intersections. 
o    Violating railroad crossings. 
o    Displaying or using a weapon. 
o    Displaying aggressive or obscene gestures. 
o    Slow moving traffic in fast lanes, etc.

 

The following hints are applicable:

o    Do not react to provocation. 
o    Stay away from erratic drivers. 
o    Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver. 
o    Use your hooter sparingly. 
o    Do not flash your headlights. 
o    Do not make obscene gestures. 
o    Do not change lanes without using your indicator. 
o    Do not drive too close to the vehicle in front of you.
o    Do not block lanes

 

(File photo: Gallo images)

For more news updates follow @JacaNews