What is Car-Jacking?
Carjacking is a violent crime that has been on a dramatic increase. It is a crime in which a car is taken from a person by force--at gunpoint or knifepoint, for instance.
CarJacking - My Close Encounter!
Today is Monday (26th-Sept-2011) and I experienced an almost Car-Jacking incident in a Wee Hours (Early Morning) on my way for Chief's OBC (Alpha) training. Traffic was very quiet with only less than a few along the way.
I was driving on the free-way (in KL) this morning to go for my early morning Chief's OBC (Alpha)Training, and was approached by a Black Color - Toyota Vios with 2 person in it that ordered me to pull-over by the road-side by entering my front lane to push me to the left shoulder of the road. The male on the passenger side ordered me to pull-over with a smile was holding his walkie-talkie in his hand & a leisure hat on his head and the driver was with a fierce look steering into my lane & maintaining his car speed with mine. They are definitely aint COPS & aint friendly either, I definitely aint gonna get pull-over by them. So I kept driving my car with no sign of pulling-over to stop.
I slowed down showing signs of pulling-over and the Vios entered my front lane, this enables me to distant myself from them. Then I make an attempt to swerve out to my right lane to over take them and speed up, they didnt give up either and over took me; it went on for another couple of rounds for at least 3km.
Until I was 500 meters away from the Toll Plaze, with only 2 choices that is either the Cash Lane or Smart Tag Lane; I definitely went for the Smart Tag as I dont have to go for a total STOP to pay for Toll. But the Vios driver is not dumb, they kept blocking my direction towards the Smart Tag Lane on my right; I reached for my Smart Tag, make a sudden slow down to over-take the Vios through my right and entered the Smart Tag lane and sped off. I kept my visual on my rear mirror to spot the Vios, if they kept pursuing me; I'll have to sped to the nearest police station which I have in mind. They weren't pursuing me & they definitely are not COPS and I need not worry.
As I slowed down to avoid any unnecessary accident, I could still feel the adrenaline rush in me. This was my 1st experience and all this motion of Chase & Escape could only be witness on screen or television, was happening to me lived in the Wee-Hours. The sudden adrenaline rush in me had made my COBC Alpha session seems easy and tolerable.
Luckily, I'm getting used to wake up in the Wee-Hours for my Chief's OBC Training & Marathons so that my mind is responsive to handling this kind of Crisis Management and most importantly I was left unharmed.
Some advices if you are faced with this situation:
- BE ALERT! when you are behind wheels on the road or approaching your car.
- CALM DOWN! Do Not Panic and Think for your safety and the passenger in your car .
- NEVER STOP! when strangers asked you to pull-over.
- If you don't feel comfortable pulling-over for Police Patrol on a dark quiet stretch of the road, drive to the nearest Police Station.
- If you are on pursue by the police on a dark quiet stretch of the road, dial the Police Hotline 999 or 911 informing them your situation and are driving to a nearby police station, the Police Patrol on pursue will be inform.
- When stopped, allow at least one car length between you and the car in front of you. This allows you room to maneuver, if it becomes necessary.
- Drive to the nearest Police Station if u feels uncom
- Its HANDY to have a "SMART TAG" / any Automatic Toll Paying System in your car.
- Keep doors and windows locked when driving.
- If you can't drive away from a threatening situation, draw attention to yourself-- honk your horn or yell. Remain in your locked car if possible.
- Keep your purse and other valuables out of view while driving.
- Drive in the center lane if possible to avoid being pushed onto the shoulder.
- Don't stop at isolated pay phones or cash machines.
- Keep a lookout if you see a stranger approaching your car. If you're in the car, drive away as quickly as possible. Walk away from the car if you're outside.
- Above all, don't resist an armed suspect. Your car isn't worth risking personal injury.
It's always good to read up any reading materials or watch any informative programs such as "Rescue 911", COPS, Discovery Channel, Magazines write-up related to CarJacking Prevention and other usefull sources. You will never know how handy it will be when you are confronted with this kind of situation. As for me I likes to read and watch these sorts of knowledgable & practical programs to gives you Safe Alternatives to keep yourself & the people around your SAFE!
STAY ALERT, STAY CALM, & THINK!
