The ten most hijacked cars in Pretoria

Despite the numerous safety services in South Africa and motorists' own attempts to be extra vigilant with their vehicles, hijackings are still rampant in the country.

READ: These are the most stolen car parts in South Africa

According to Fidelity ADT, the Q3 crime stats released by the SAPS revealed that around 66 cars are hijacked daily.

Another reality that motorists face is that some cars are more at risk of hijacking than others.

Paul Visser from the Pretoria ICE Community Network has noted the ten most hijacked vehicles in the city and shared his list with Gauteng News:

Here are the ten most hijacked cars in Pretoria, according to Visser:

1.  Toyota Hilux
2. Volkswagen Polo
3. Toyota Fortuner
4. Ford Ranger
5. Nissan NP200
6. BMW 3 Series
7. Toyota Quantum
8. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
9. Hyundai H-1
10. Audi A3 

Visser also urged Pretoria motorists to be extra vigilant when leaving malls, their workplaces, or heading home late at night, adding that these are the times hijacking are most likely to occur.

"Keep emergency numbers for your security provider, SAPS, and neighbours readily available in case you suspect you are being followed."

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Here are some tips from Arrive Alive to avoid a hijacking situation:

• Have a 2km from your house strategy. Be extra alert. Switch off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings. If you notice any vehicle behind you, use the techniques you learned during the hijack prevention and survival course to determine whether you are being followed.
• Remember to stop your vehicle just inside the gate and select reverse while waiting for it to close. This creates confusion and may take a few seconds for the gate to close completely behind you.
• Check your driveway and street before you leave or enter your premises.
• Ensure your driveway is well-lit and clear from shrubbery where perpetrators can hide.
• Be aware of unknown pedestrians near your residential address. Do not turn into your driveway; pass and come back later.
• Liaise with your neighbours – know them.
• Be aware of vehicles parked close to your address with occupants inside. It might be perpetrators observing the area.
• Be alert if your animals do not greet you at the gate as usual. It might be that the perpetrators overpowered them.
• Phone your home and ask for someone to check your driveway for safety and to open and close the gate for you.
• When returning home after dark, ensure that an outside light is on, or have someone meet you at the gate. Check with your armed response company if they are rendering rendezvous services.
• If you must open the gate yourself at any time, make sure nobody is suspicious around, and the road is clear. Stop right in front of your gate. Do not switch off the vehicle; leave the key in the ignition. Get out and close the door (not creating temptation). Then, open the gate. Drive in and close the gate immediately behind you.
• If you have small children in the vehicle, take the key with you (this is the only exception). You need the key as a “negotiating tool“. The perpetrators want your vehicle and you want your children.
• If your children are older, it is advised that they exit the vehicle with you when opening the gate so that you are all separated from the vehicle should an attack occur.
• Check the rear-view mirror to ensure you are not being followed.
• When exiting your vehicle, be cautious and aware of surrounding obstructions and shrubbery that may be concealing a hijacker.
• Never sit in your parked vehicle without being conscious of your surroundings. Sleeping in a stationary vehicle is particularly dangerous.
• When approaching your driveway, be on the lookout for suspicious vehicles/persons. This is very important as most hijackers approach their victims in home driveways.

Source: Pretoria Rekord

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