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With more cars on the road, hijackers are seizing the opportunity by targeting unsuspecting drivers, leading to a significant increase in kidnappings, says insurer Dialdirect.
“Unfortunately, kidnappings are a predominant part of our criminal history, with more than 30,000 hijackings of motor vehicles, including trucks, in a single year,” says Bianca de Beer, spokesperson for Dialdirect.
“Our claims data shows that kidnappings have increased by 20% from 2019 to 2020,” he said.
Richard Brussow, director of the National Kidnapping Prevention Academy (NHPA), has been investigating kidnappings for 21 years and recently shared his findings from an in-depth analysis of kidnappings that took place between August 2019 and July 2020.
Some key findings from the report in regards to kidnapping trends show that while kidnappings happen every day of the week, they generally peak on Fridays. More kidnappings occur starting at 12:00 noon, peaking between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Brussow said kidnappers prefer places where vehicles are moving slowly or parked, ideally places where there are easy escape routes, and most kidnappings take place at residential driveways.
“Other critical points include road signs or intersections, the side of the road (when the driver stops to answer the phone, for example), schools, gas stations, parking areas and places where passengers are picked up or dropped off”, said.
“Pistols and revolvers are mainly used, with a lower percentage of kidnappings involving high-caliber weapons, knives and even bare hands. “
Brussow said that the hijackers’ modus operandi generally includes the following methods:
- Boxing in: Choose places where victims cannot easily escape;
- Forced stop: Using vehicles to get the victim off the road;
- Follow the leader: Follow victims from crowded public spaces to quieter places;
- Driving test: Posing as potential advertised vehicle buyers wanting a test drive;
- Blue light: Posing as police or traffic officers.
Tips
The NHPA and Dialdirect provided the following tips to avoid becoming a victim:
- Statistics and access points aside, it is wise to always be vigilant, especially when your vehicle will be moving slowly or coming to a complete stop. Avoid being distracted and pay close attention to your surroundings.
- Get to know your neighbors, keep your driveway clear of places where perpetrators might hide, and make sure it’s well lit. Remember to lock the doors when driving.
- Plan your route carefully to avoid driving at unsafe times, through unsafe areas, or stopping / driving slower and thus becoming an easier target. Alternate your habits and routes to avoid being a predictable target.
- If you suspect you’re being followed, make a couple of wrong turns. If someone is still following you, drive to the nearest police station. Automatic door: if possible, stop along the way, parallel to your door, to have an escape route. Once the door is fully open, turn and stop your vehicle right inside. Wait for it to close behind you before proceeding to park. You want to avoid being followed to your property, as a kidnapping could turn into a home burglary.
- Non-automatic door: stop right in front of the door. Check if it is safe before you get out of your vehicle. Leave the key in the ignition and the engine running, open and close the door so that, in the event of an attack, the assailant does not have to approach you to take the vehicle. Move as fast as you can.
- Schedule your approach to traffic lights so that you do not have to come to a complete stop. When stopping behind a vehicle at a traffic light / stop sign, make sure the rear tires are touching the road surface. This will make it harder to be locked in and give you enough room to escape, if necessary. Also move quickly when picking up or dropping off passengers or goods.
- Keep your phone and other valuables out of sight. Thieves and kidnappers often “shop windows” before attacking. Avoid driving with your windows wide open.
- In case your vehicle receives a slight hit from behind, do not get out immediately. If the blow was not strong enough to damage your vehicle, and you feel there could be a threat, instruct the vehicle behind you to follow you to a safe place (gas station, police station) to exchange information.
- If a vehicle with a blue light is following you and it is best to slow down, turn on your hazard lights and signal for them to follow you (your intentions must be very clear and understandable). Stop where you feel safe, for example, the nearest police station. Don’t drive home.
- Perpetrators use jamming devices to interfere with your vehicle’s locking system with the intention of stealing your valuables or worse. When exiting your vehicle, make sure the doors are closed before you drive away. When you return, close the doors as soon as you enter and do not trust that the vehicle will lock automatically.
Read: ‘Arrest warrant’ scam targeting drivers in South Africa
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