Even with the high gasoline prices, you - and your employees - might have a road trip planned for this summer. Just be careful out there, especially if your plans involve a lot of driving. When we travel on road trips, we tend to lower our guard and become more susceptible to break-ins and other crimes. And, of course, there's the risk of traffic accidents and breakdowns. So before you hit the highway this summer, here are some precautions to take.

Go Beyond the Basics

Criminals want your car and its contents; they might even want you. Cars are fairly easy to break into, hide in and sabotage - just like your home. But unlike your home, a car can be easily transported and sold or stripped down for parts.

Of course, you should do all you can to prevent theft. However, measures such as installing alarms and wheel locks are limited in effectiveness. They tend to discourage only the joy rider. They're less of a deterrent against the professional that wants to steal your vehicle, not just take it for a spin.

How to Protect Yourself

There are a number of measures you can take to avoid not just theft and crime but other roadside emergencies such as accidents and breakdowns:

Tip #1: Prepare for Emergencies

Before you leave for your road trip, put together an automobile emergency kit that includes:

• Flashlight
• Jumper cables
• Warm blanket
• First aid kit
• "Send help" sign or white flag
• Flares or flashes
• Gallon of gas, and
• A good spare tire with tools.

Tip #2: Mind your Body Language and Tone of Voice

Criminals often possess a sixth sense that helps them identify travelers. Subtle cues tell them when we're unfamiliar with our surroundings. Criminals seize the opportunity to catch us off guard - and steal from and/or assault us. Remember that body language is 55 percent of communication. Whenever you leave your vehicle, strive to appear in control of yourself and your plans. Be alert to your surroundings. At all times, know what is going on 50 feet to 100 feet around the perimeter of your body.

Voice tone and pitch equal 35 percent of communication. The way you communicate physically and verbally can determine whether a predator deems you a good target. So be confident and succinct.

Tip #3: Don't Fight Pickpockets and Thieves

Material items are not worth the risk. Carry currency in small amounts and denominations and keep it in an easily accessible pocket. If someone tries to rob you, throw the "chump change" several feet away. This will distract the robber and give you time to escape. Cash, credit cards, jewelry and passports are all targets. So hideaway belts and travelers' checks are a good idea.

Tip #4: Keep in Contact

If you don't already have one, get a cellular phone and take it on the road with you. Make regular calls to loved ones to let them know where you are. Should a predator get the best of you, there will be clues to your whereabouts. But never give out important information on a cellular phone and be sure to obtain a PIN code.

Tip #5: Be Alert in Parking Garages

Don't use the stairs of a parking garage. Instead, walk the ramp, which is much safer. And be sure to take note of where you park. Remember, if you look as if you don't know where you are going, assailants will find you an easy mark. Be aware of vans, often used by abductors and rapists.

Tip #6: Check your Vehicle

When returning to your car, check the back seat. You should also scan the undercarriage and ground beneath and around the vehicle for signs of sabotage such as large pools of fluid, flat tires and smashed windows. If you turn on the ignition and the radio blares or the air conditioner and wipers go on, beware. This is a distraction technique. Somebody somewhere is paying unwanted attention to you and is in the beginning stages of an attack. If you determine someone is in the car, exit and run. If someone is outside the car and standing in front of you with a weapon, then start the car and use the attacker(s) as speed bump.

Tip #7: Watch for Dangerous Drivers

While driving:

• If you suspect someone is following you, continue to drive carefully, but change direction, slow down or speed up. Take the next exit and go to a public area where plenty of bystanders will see you. Be prepared to drive offensively if necessary. This means going over curbs, lawns, etc. Chart a course.
• In the unlikely event that someone waves a gun or shoots at you, duck, brake hard, get behind their car and turn off the highway.
• Even if nothing is awry, keep at least one car length between your car and the car ahead for every 10 miles per hour of speed.
• Do not engage in hand gestures with drivers.
• If someone pulls up next to you and signals to pull over because of car trouble, go to a service station.

Tip #8: Watch for Imposters

Bad guys sometimes impersonate police officers when preying on their victims. So, if you're stopped by the police, try to determine whether the officer is indeed an officer. Unmarked cars, dash lights, grill lights, uniforms and even badges might not be official issue. Keep one foot on the brake and one foot on the gas and tell the "officer" you will only respond if a marked vehicle arrives. At the same time, tell the individual that you are calling 911 to let authorities know your location. Ask the 911 call official whether he or she can confirm that the officer pulling you over is legit.

Tip #9: Keep your Cool

In the event of a minor accident, stop only in a well lit, well populated area. Even simple fender benders can cause emotions to get out of hand, resulting in violence. If things get hairy, stay in the vehicle and exchange papers through a crack in the window.

Tip #10: Keep your Head

Carjackers often will use another vehicle to perform a bump or sandwich of yours.

• If you're being kidnapped, put on your seatbelt.
• If you're in the driver's seat, suddenly ram a parked car or a building.
• If you're in the passenger's seat, try to create a ruckus, such as creating a distraction by throwing a lit cigarette or matches into the lap of your carjacker. When he stops, get out and run. Try opening your door to ram a car parked on the side of the road. Just be careful to move out of the ricocheting door's way. If the vehicle is going 20 to 30 miles per hour, jumping out will cause minimal damage to your body.

Conclusion:

Don't surrender to the whims of luck. Follow these essential pointers and make your road trip a road to happiness - and not to catastrophe.

SOME FACTS ABOUT CARJACKING

By Catherine Jones

Between 1992 and 2002:

• Carjackings happened most often in urban areas
• Carjackings happened next most often in suburban areas
• The lowest incidence of carjackings took place in rural areas
• A weapon was used in nearly three-quarters (74%) of carjackings, including:
  • Firearms (45%)
  • Knives (11%)
  • Other Weapons (18%)

Source: US Bureau of Justice Statistics, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov

SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK
Know Your RV

By Catherine Jones

In addition to Robert's security advice, if this is the first time you and your RV have traveled together, you should also get to know some of your RV's quirks before your trip. Things to familiarize yourself with include:

• The RV's height. Post this information on the dash and refer to it when approaching low overpasses and service station canopies.
• Its braking capability. Find a low-traffic area and practice stopping, starting with low speeds first.
• Its blind spots. An RV has larger blind spots than the average car. Learn where these are so that you can position the mirrors effectively.

Story Tools:  Email This Post  Print This Post Top