It is very easy for an attacker to reach through an open window or open an unlocked door to gain access to or injure a driver. Get in the habit of locking vehicle doors everytime you enter or exit. Remember, locking the doors does no good if the windows are down. If you must converse with an unknown person who is outside of your vehicle, only roll down the window enough to determine their intentions. 

 

An unlocked, unattended vehicle can increase your chances of becoming a victim of a criminal act. Leaving a vehicle unlocked makes it easier and more likely to be stolen. An unlocked vehicle makes it easier for thieves to steal valuable items and personal information from the vehicle. An unlocked vehicle give attackers easier access to gain entery and lay in wait in order to ambush their intended victim. Make it a habit of always locking your vehicles doors when you leave it unattended. 

 

There is always a risk of thieves being caught when they break into a vehicle to steal valuables. For this reason, many thieves will walk around looking into vehicles for easily seen valuables. If valuables are in plain sight it is a guaranteed score for the thieves and also makes escape much quicker since they do not have to search the vehicle for valuables. Even when someone is not intending to steal, the sight of valuables may create a temptation to great to resist. By simply keeping items out of veiw you can decrease the chances of your vehicle being broken into. 

 

This does not have to be an extesive phisical inspection, a simple visual check can eliminate many problems. Look at the tires to determine if they appear visually good, if a tire is visibly flat you should not drive on it. Look to make sure there is no loose items hanging from or under your vehicle including but not limited to : wires, tag, twigs, weeds, parts of the vehicle, ect. Look at the gas guage to determine fuel level. Many people become stranded on the side of the road, not because their gas guage was broken, but simply because they never bothered to look at it. Use common sense, become familiar with your vehicle, if anything looks odd or wrong either evaluate farther or have a more experienced person check it out. Paying close attention to your vehicle can also give you warning that your vehicle has been tampered with.  

 

This is similar to the above the difference is you are looking for danger rather than maitenance. Look for items on the ground that was not there when you left (gum wrappers, foot prints, small tools, ect.) these can be indicators that someone was around your vehicle. Look for smudge marks on the hood, doors, trunk, fenders and windows these can be indicators that someone was trying to get into your vehicle or that it has been tampered with. Look for odd, suspicious or container like objects. If you return and there is a shoe box under your vehicle that was not there when you parked, inform security or law enforcement and let them check it out. Always be suspicious of individuals standing around or near your vehicle, wait for them to leave before approaching or ask for a security escort when available. Also don't for get to visualy check the interior of your vehicle for items that are not yours and attackers who may be hiding in wait for you. Check the front seat, back seat and rear cargo area of your vehicle before getting in.

 

This is used in conjunction with the one above. By scanning your vehicle at a distance you can see underneath it without having to bend or get on your hands and knees. Also if you angle your approach you can see on both sides of the vehicle. Look for the same as above items on, under or near vehicle, evidence of tampering and/or unknown individuals. If something seems odd or unusual contact the proper authorities. If there are unknown individuals near your vehicle, once again either wait for them to leave before approaching your vehicle or ask for a security escort if available. 

 

You want to enter your vehicle and lock the doors as quickly as possible. Searching for keys after you reach your vehicle wastes time and distracts you from what is going on around you, exactlly what a potential attacker is looking for. When you have your keys in your hand and ready to use it allows you to pay attention to your srroundings and enter the vehicle as soon as you reach it. Also keys in hand makes for an effective improvised weapon, if you are attacked. Keys can be used to gouge, scrape or even thrown at your attacker. 

 

Home garages, public and private parking garages, patrolled parking lots, ect. can reduce the chances of your vehicle being stolen, broken into or used to ambush you. Do everything you can to keep your vehicle secure. 

 

Concentrate on what you are doing and what is going on around you. Do not talk on the phone, fiddle with knobs, shave, apply make-up or anything else that can destract you, while driving. Simply paying attention and doing away with unnecessary distractions can not only reduce your chances of be a victim of a crime, but it can also allow you to reduce or avoid accidents. 

 

Not all people are good samaritans trying to help, some individuals will see this as an opportuninty to take advantage of your situation for their own personal gain. If someone makes you feel uneasy ask them to contact law enforcement for you or tell them someone is already on the way. Sometimes assistance can be very good, but you do not have to except help from anyone you are not comfortable with.

 

If some one trys to attack you either in preson (road rage assault, car jacking, ect.) or with their vehicle you do not want to be boxed in and trapped. Leaving adequate distance from the vehicle in front, can allow you to escape if necessary. Jump the curb, plow thruogh a fence or do anything you have to in order to escape and survive. You should also leave plenty of distance when moving, allowing you time to react or take evasive maneuvers when necessary in an emergency.  

 

Treat items with personal information on them exactlly the same way you would any other valuable items. If your vehicle is broken into, you do not want your home also broken into, it's happened to many people. Keep everything out of sight. 

 

If you believe you are being followed do not drive home or to an isolated area and never stop and get out of your vehicle. Drive to a law enforcement agency, a populated area or find a patrolling law enforcement officer.

 

The easiest ways to determine if you are being followed is to make 3 right turns one right after the other, or turn around in a safe area and head in the opposite derection. If the vehicle does the same and continues to stay behind you, it is almost guaranteed that they are following you.