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Hijacking - stay alert, stay alive

The loss of vehicles and cargo through hi-jacking is bad news for any operator but the most tragic result of hijacking is the loss of life. Keep the following tips in mind when travelling - you never know when you might be caught in an attempted hijacking situation:

On the road:

• Don't discuss the contents of your load with strangers or other drivers.
• If you think you are being followed, contact your company by phone and head for the nearest police station - DO NOT STOP!
• Drive with windows only slightly open and keep the doors locked!
• Take notice of how much fuel is in the vehicle - it can help the police to calculate how far the vehicle can go before having to refuel.
• Do not stop to rest or sleep in isolated areas.
• Keep vehicles regularly maintained, breakdowns put you at risk.
• Hijackers often cause sudden "bumper bashings" to get you out of your vehicle. Contact the police immediately and only get out of your vehicle once they arrive.

Situation Control

If you do get hijacked, do the following it could save your life:

• Stay calm and don't argue or resist.
• Don't make any sudden movements - hijackers are just as nervous as you and will shoot to kill without hesitation!
• If you are instructed to lie or kneel down, do so immediately
• Hand over personal items when asked
• Try to remember what the hijackers looked like, what they were wearing and what they were saying to one another - it could help identify them later
• Remember in which direction the vehicle was headed when last seen
• As soon as you are safe report the hijacking immediately.