MARCH is International Women’s month. Since Chicdriven is a women empowerment column (although we still welcome the other genders), I will be writing a series of women empowerment article starting with safety while driving.
I came across a video that shows how a little distraction such as texting while walking toward the parked vehicle can cause someone her life.
We all take this for granted thinking that we are safe when we are in a public place.
Times are really different now, with crimes being so prevalent. We need to arm ourselves with knowledge and awareness, and help spread it to fellow chicdrivers.
- Preparation
Always have your car well maintained so that you lessen the chances of being stranded somewhere.
Create an emergency bag with snacks, a change of clothes, a plastic poncho, extra battery or cell phone, flashlight and blanket.
Well, include some lip balm and moisturizer, too. This will come in handy if the situation asks for you to stay overnight somewhere.
Be careful when you park. Make sure that you don’t choose an area that criminals will find attractive to their schemes. Majority of the crimes against women (among other things) happen in the parking lot.
Learn the basic emergency car procedures such as changing a tire and checking your battery so that when people offer to help, they cannot take advantage of you.
Plan your trip well so that you wouldn’t be driving at night in remote areas; you can use Google Maps for this.
2) Getting into your car
Always be alert and look around before entering the parking area to get into your car.
See if there are people lurking nearby or people inside a running vehicle beside your car.
If there are, either go back inside or ask your friend or the security guard to escort you to your vehicle.
When you are about to leave the building, look for your keys and put your phone in your pocket before exiting.
Be alert and keep your dominant hand free. If your bag is heavy and big enough, you can also use this as a weapon.
Do a couple of practice swings so that you won’t lose your balance when you do so. When your assailant is down, leave your bag and run away.
If robbery is the goal of your attacker, he will be distracted by your bag and will not chase you anymore. Once in a safe place, use your cell phone to call for help.
Install a mirror and have a weapon in your boot. Usually, abductions or robberies happen in the parking lot while you are busy putting your grocery or shopping bags in the boot.
Having a mirror installed at the boot can give you a visual of what’s behind you, providing you with a better chance when threatened by an attack.
A handy weapon like that long Maglite flashlight stored in the boot can be easily retrieved and used to hit first your attacker, thus giving you those precious few moments to run away.
3) Driving
Avoid places you know that are problematic. There are stories about stones being thrown at vehicles passing through C-5 and the Star tollway, so don’t pass there at night.
Also, take the main road or the highway instead of service roads, which are prone to drunken bikers and pedestrians.
When you sense that you are being followed, take several turns to confirm it. If it really seems that you are being shadowed, drive to a crowded, well-lit place like the mall or a big gas station with a convenience store.
Call a friend or a family member to meet you so that you can drive home together. Never try to outrun them or confront them.
Criminals have a lot of creative modus operandi nowadays to distract you. Some will ask for help, others will play victim, feigning to ask for directions. Some will sell you something or flirt with you.
Even if you are desperate, never ever roll down your window or keep an unlocked door. Traffic is not a good place to engage in speed dating.
Worst case scenarios:
1) You had to stop in a really bad area in the city.
- a) Don’t go out of the vehicle.
- b) Call for an Uber car and a towing service. Once your Uber arrives, tell the driver that you will pay him extra to wait for the towing service so you won’t be alone while waiting for your car to be towed. Make arrangements with your towing service and follow them with your Uber ride.
2) You had to stop in a really bad area in the province.
- a) Try your hardest to stop in front of a house or store; if there is none, stay inside the vehicle and call for help. Only come out when help arrives.
If someone is offering help, open your window a few centimeters and tell him or her that help is on the way.
- b) If there are PUVs passing, lock your doors and leave your vehicle. Go to the nearest gas station or reputable-looking service center and ask someone for assistance to help you with your car.
An ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. Never ever put yourself in a situation that will make you queasy in the gut.
The same intuition that tells you your boyfriend is fooling around is the same one that will tell you that you are in danger.
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