11/02/2022
Safety tips when driving alone – Especially at night.
1.Plan your route ahead of time - Knowing where you’re going will not only cut down on travelling time, but it will ensure you don’t get lost. Always alert someone when you are departing and give them an estimated time of arrival.
2. Ensure you have enough fuel to get you to your destination.
3. Check your vehicle’s basic safety features before departing - Make sure that your lights and hazards are working properly, and that your tyres are correctly inflated and in good condition.
4. Avoid driving on unmarked routes and back roads at night
5. Keep a safe distance from the car ahead of you at intersections - This makes it easier to pull away and check your blind spots for potential hijackers approaching you.
6. Take note of landmarks and be aware of your surroundings - This allows you to explain to someone where you are, should you get lost. Ensure your vehicle is locked at all times (many vehicles have self-locking doors which is very handy) and make sure your windows are not open all the way down, especially when you approach intersections
7. Ensure your vehicle is locked at all times - Many vehicles have self-locking doors which is very handy, and make sure your windows are not open all the way down, especially when you approach intersections.
8. Be wary about offering rides to hitchhikers - Unfortunately, we live in a country that doesn’t allow us to be ‘good Samaritans’.
9. Do not text and drive - Not only does it distract you from driving and is likely to cause an accident, but you will also be unaware of what is happening around you, and may not notice smash-and-grabbers.
10. Do not leave your handbag and any other valuable items such as a laptop on your passenger seat - Rather put them in your boot. Leaving them in view of passers-by makes you a big target for smash-and-grabs.
11. Make sure your cell phone is charged, or buy a car charger.
12. Have two or three close family members or friends readily on speed dial, to avoid delays in panic situations.
13. Lastly, do not assume that an unmarked vehicle with flashing lights is a police car - If you are not sure and a suspicious looking ‘police vehicle’ tries to pull you over, keep on driving with your hazards on until you can pull over in a well-lit area such as a fuel station or at the nearest police station.
Source: Tracker
