Are you safe in the event of a Breakdown?

Crime keeps evolving. Criminals have various modus operandi and of recent there has been a major spike in incidents arising from motorists having mechanical problems and finding themselves broken down on South African roads.

On Wednesday morning, 17^th May, a man was stabbed several times after he was attacked on the N2 north bound after the M7 interchange, South of Durban. The incident took place whilst the man was waiting for assistance after his vehicle broke down. Reports suggest that two men exited from the bush and robbed the man of his valuables.

Just days after, on Monday evening a man was shot in an attempted robbery on the N2 in the vicinity of the Umgeni Road on-ramp. Similarly to the incident prior, the man had broken down and was approached by a group of suspects who had the intention of robbing him. A struggle ensued subsequent to the robbery which resulted in the man being shot in the arm, leaving him in a serious condition.

All forms of crime hamper South Africa’s economic growth and international reputation, and vehicle crime is one of the major contributors. With South Africa being a tourist attraction for both foreigners and locals, the road networks throughout the country are often populated by travellers heading to various destinations. Day to day commuters face an even greater risk as criminals are aware of heavy traffic times and areas, allowing them the opportunity to pounce at any vulnerable motorist who may find themselves broken down.

What would you do in the event of a breakdown? On average, normal roadside assistance can take between 70-90 minutes to arrive, which is a very long time if you are on your own. Being stranded on South African roads leaves you vulnerable to various types of vehicle crime. 24/7 ASAP offers you a personal roadside protection service should you be involved in a roadside accident or if your car breaks down. With nationwide coverage the 24/7 ASAP “Track Guard” service gives you access to a highly trained and armed guarding network, stationed in over 100 cities and towns throughout South Africa. Members are provided with a panic facility and after panicking in, they will immediately be contacted by state-of-the-art crisis centre and will be located with the use of their cell phone signal, and help dispatched immediately. 24/7 ASAP aims to have a guard by your side within 30 minutes of receiving your panic thus reducing your chance of incident by 60% purely on the time you would be waiting for roadside assistance.

For more information contact our dedicated customer service centre for a full run down on 0860 33 33 43 or visit us at www.247asap.co.za