Paul Messam, Gleaner Writer
WHETHER MOTOR cars are stolen by amateur or professional criminals, theft can be prevented fairly easily. As the adage reminds us, 'prevention is better than cure'.
On careful examination, it is not only better, it is much cheaper. In this modern, high-tech world, motorists cannot be too careful. There are a number of protection tips that female motorists can apply before, during and after a journey.
The Sunday Gleaner spoke to Claude Reynolds, deputy superintendent of police at the police traffic headquarters about security pointers. He cautioned female motorists to lock all the doors and refrain from offering rides to strangers. Other tips to women drivers include the following:
Avoid travelling through lonely places. Check the back seat of the motor vehicle and under the vehicle before entering it. Regularly check their rear-view mirror to see if anyone is following. If you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or an open business place and honk the horn. Do not offer rides, neither to men nor women. When driving, try as best as possible not to appear nervous, as this could draw attention from undesirables. Be aware of suspicious looking individuals who could have a desire to trail, rob or harm. When you go shopping, choose a parking space close to the building and avoid parking beside large vehicles. If you are out late, have someone drive behind you to your gate, and use the cellular phone to alert those at home that you have arrived. Try to be alert to and aware of your surroundings.If you are attacked, there are active and passive-resistance techniques, which can be applied. The question is, should you submit quickly or resist? You are the only person who can make this judgement call based on:
The motivation of the attacker The environment Whether the attacker is armed.Generally speaking, if the attacker is armed, do not resist. If you are in a position to resist and elect to do so, you have two options: passive or active resistance.
For passive-resistance techniques, you could talk to the attacker to show sympathy. Deal with him as a person and force him to see you as one and not an object. Pretend to faint or vomit. But if that does not work, forget it.
Active resistance should be considered as a last resort. However, some vulnerable areas to strike an attacker are the groin, the eyes, the Adam's apple, the nose. Also, pulling back on the little finger and kicking the shins can be effective. Do not try to defeat the attacker, try to break free and run. Scream and make noise. When using this option, bawl out, "Fire!" and "Help!"
It is helpful to arm yourself with a whistle or a noise-making device. Personal alarms can ward off attackers by attracting attention to the scene. Choose a reliable device that produces a high-decibel sound (in the range of 120 BD).
