Unfortunately, we’ve seen it only too often – broken glass lying on the road surface near some intersection. Again, evidence of a criminal smashing some poor motorist’s glass window to steal something. Prevention is better than cure, goes the saying, so let’s take to heart the following top tips to prevent car smash and grabs in South Africa.1
How do these criminals operate?1
Film footage of an incident in Cape Town shows two men approaching a car. While the one was smashing a side window, the other was keeping a lookout. Justice was king that day when the city’s Strategic Surveillance Unit managed to track and arrest the suspects.
Remove any valuables1
Arrive and Alive mentioned that too many drivers are still too naïve and not sufficiently alert to this horrible danger. Leaving your valuables on the front passenger seat or the rear seat is like them begging to be taken by someone. Hiding any important item from eyesight removes the temptation to smash and grab. Preferably, place your belongings in the boot.
Don’t be distracted – these are challenging times1
This is not to startle motorists. It’s to jolt some of them out of any complacency when stopping at an intersection. They look at their cell phones and text while criminals could be lurking around. We must not fall for cell phone addiction, when we jump to see what message has arrived at the first sound. More importantly, it’s against the law to do so when driving.
Motorists must become more safety conscious1
Becoming safety conscious is a change of attitude. If you were offered R1000 for not using your cell phone as a driver on one particular trip, you would surely achieve that. Your cell phone or life is worth much more than that. Drivers have their windows rolled down while merrily chatting away until some criminal snatches their cell phone away.
Below are some tips to protect yourself from a smash and grab.
Lock all the doors1
Fortunately, all modern cars automatically lock doors when the motorist drives off. But, for those driving older models, always ensure you’ve locked all the doors.
What to do when approaching an intersection1
Don’t ever open your windows to any stranger when stopping at a traffic light, especially at night. Avoid the temptation of giving money to someone when it could be a scam. This is unfortunate, as we meet so many needy people at intersections. Before you come to a stop sign, start scanning the surroundings for any suspicious activity.
What to do when you see obstacles in the road? 1
Whatever you do, do not get out of your car when approaching obstacles such as rocks on the road. Instead, look in the rear-view mirror, immediately stop the car, reverse and drive off.
Always keep moving1
Remember, you are at your safest while the car is moving. Once you are stationary, you can become a sitting duck. For this reason, slow down when approaching red traffic lights at night so that by the time you reach them, they will have turned green. If you do have to stop, make sure there is a car’s length amount of space between your car and the front car. At least you’ll have some room to manoeuvre should criminals strike.
It’s essential to protect yourself from smash and grabs, but what about protecting yourself financially regarding your car? Perhaps you have no car insurance at all, or it may be insufficient if you do. Don’t hesitate to contact PMD to find out more about their affordable car insurance products with unique benefits like fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
Source:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
How can we prevent these incidents of Smash-and-Grab? https://t.co/KAEqBtbGzT #ArriveAlive #Crime @SAPoliceService @WCGovSafelyHome pic.twitter.com/cbBFnomhn3
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) May 9, 2022