Watch out for this re-emerging South African hijacking trend
It's better to be safe, aware, and alert than sorry...
As South Africans, being alert is part of our DNA, because criminals are always lurking.
It's a part of life, not just in South Africa but everywhere globally. This is why it is essential to stay ahead of criminal trends. This way, we can exercise our ability to remain alert and safe.
A popular hijacking tactic - the tap-tap hijacking tactic - is making a comeback. This tactic involves criminals bumping into other vehicles on purpose with the intention of stealing your vehicle.
"According to car-tracking company Cartrack, criminals may target you by driving behind you and intentionally bumping into your vehicle at a low to moderate speed." (Business Tech)
This gets your attention without causing significant damage to the vehicle that they plan to steal.
It's far from ideal to be a target of crime, but what's worse is when you need to figure out who to trust and who has ulterior motives. That's why it is better to be safe than sorry.
The general motive is for the hijackers to bump into you and steal your vehicle; once you exit the vehicle to exchange insurance information, they steal it.
"Cartrack also reports that hijackers may use a woman as a decoy driver to give their target a false sense of security. The 'tap-tap' tactic exploits the South African National Road Traffic Act, which requires drivers to pull over after an accident, regardless of its severity." (Business Tech)
If you suspect that someone bumped into you to potentially hijack you, don't get out of the car; rather, drive to a busy location.
However, it is important to note that according to Arrive Alive, "motorists who do not stop after an accident can be prosecuted. If found guilty, they may be fined up to R36,000 or face a prison sentence of up to nine years." (Business Tech)
All in all, trust your gut, if it doesn't feel right, then it's most likely not.
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Image Courtesy of iStock/Vera Tikhonova