Life is full of unexpected surprises. Some of them are fun and
thrilling, and others are scary and dangerous. You never know when,
where or how an unexpected event will occur. This lack of control of
outside circumstances can cause you to be re-active instead of
pro-active. To be able to make informed decisions, you need to be
informed. Here is some information about those scary and dangerous
events that can occur when you are with your car. Yes, this may sound
paranoid and excessive, but having this information could just safe
your life.
When
you’re alone and going to your car in a parking lot, parking garage or
poorly lit area, BE-AWARE! This means looking all around you before
getting into your car. You of course want to have your door key in your
hand ready to unlock the car as soon as you’ll approach it. If you have
a remote key, don’t unlock the door until you are ready to get in!
As you approach your vehicle, look to the left, right and behind you
and glance under your vehicle. When you get to your car, check out the
passenger seat and the back seat before you get in. You make look
weird, but attackers tend to pass by someone who is aware of what’s
happening around them.
If there is a big van parked to the left of your car, enter your
vehicle from the passenger seat. If the vehicle next to you has a male
sitting alone in the passenger seat, enter from your passenger seat, or
go back from where you came from and ask someone to escort you back out
to your car. This is definitely one of those times to trust those “gut
feelings.” If something doesn’t feel right, turn around and retreat.
Better safe then sorry really fits the bill here.
Once you get into your vehicle, looks the doors! Don’t open your window
or door for any stranger. Lots of rapists, attackers and kidnappers are
clean cut and honest looking. I heard a story of a woman who filled her
gas tank at a gas station one night and had to go into the building to
pay. She had 2 twenty dollar bills with her. The gas cost her exactly
twenty dollars, and she knew the other twenty was safely in her wallet
in her handbag. When she got into her car, a good looking, clean-cut
man came walking over to her with a ten dollar bill in his hand. He
motioned for her to roll down her window waving the money in the air.
He cheerfully claimed she had dropped the money on her way into the
store, and he only wanted to return it to her. When she did not roll
down her window and responded that it wasn’t her money, the cheerful
fellow turned into a raving maniac and tried to open her door. Then he
started pounding on her window calling her all kinds of obscene names.
She started her car and drove away. Yes she was shaken up, but she was
safe and unharmed.
Another “trick” used on unsuspecting women motorist, is a man pulling
alongside your vehicle pointing at your car indicating something is
wrong and that you should pull over right away. Take a reality check
first! Is your vehicle driving okay? If you’re going to pull over, look
for an open gas station or well-lit populated area to pull over.
If you feel threatened, don’t hesitate to make a scene. Scream, shout,
lay on the horn or flash your bright lights over and over. Most
attackers aim to be discreet and secretive. Carrying a loud whistle or
a can of pepper spray can be a huge deterrent to most attackers.
If you get pulled over by an unmarked police car for no apparent reason
in an area that is not well traveled or well lit, there are a number of
things you should be looking for. Is the police officer’s uniform neat
and tidy? Is the badge and name tag plainly visible? Is his attitude
polite and official? If he uses any kind of suggestive, threatening or
abusive language, something is not right! First off, keep your doors
locked and window up. Ask to see his badge and identification. If he
doesn’t have any, then drive away as quickly as possible. Once you are
in a safe place contact the real police and tell them what happened. If
they do have a badge and identification but you’re still feeling
uncomfortable, you have the right to ask for a “backup.” This means
they need to call for another officer to come to the scene. If they
won’t call for another officer, they may not be a real policeman after
all. You could use your cell phone to call 911 or if red flags are
waving, drive away and go directly to the nearest police station.
My intention is not make you afraid to go out by yourself, but I am
asking you to be aware of where you are and what’s happening around
you. Then you will be able to avoid dangerous situations and take the
appropriate actions to keep yourself safe and secure.
Safe and Happy Motoring,
Amy Mattinat
Auto Craftsmen Ltd.
Import Sales & Service
Montpelier (802) 223-2253
www.autocraftsmen.com
Author of “How to Buy a Great Used Car”
Available online at www.usedcarexperts.net
