Car Security

Car security involves keeping ourselves as safe as possible while traveling.

We all know that bad things can happen to people in cars. We need to minimize the chances of it happening to us. I’m going to cover some basic-DUH!- things here first.

Keep your car in good running condition for the sake of good car security. We’re not talking looks here.

We’re talking about decent tires. Check and maintain the correct air pressure. I think one of the handiest things I’ve seen in a while is an air hose with a pressure gauge attached. No digging in the bottom of the glove box to find your pressure gauge each time. How are those treads? Getting your money’s worth? Don’t! Bald tires do not grip well and you stand a bigger chance of a flat.

When traveling out of town maintain at least a quarter tank full of gas. At the current price of gas sometimes this hurts a little, but you don’t burn anymore than if you let it go to “E”- or worse the “LOW FUEL” light- I hate that.

The frequent stops may slow your total trip time a little, but it’s also a good chance to wake-up, get a drink and use a hopefully well lit and secure bathroom, rather than stopping along the roadside to relieve yourself in a more urgent situation- really, not recommended for women's self defense!

Know where you’re going- see, I told you: DUH! Have the appropriate maps handy. Know where you’re going to turn. Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be there. You don’t want to be the next story on the local news when people start to miss you three days later.

If you do get lost, stop and ask directions at a well lit, large service station or restaurant. Not at a house just off the road- have you never seen the X-Files?

Carry a kubotan key chain. It looks innocent enough, but can come in handy if you are surprised by an attacker!

Take a cell phone for car security . If you don’t have one yet and you are traveling alone, get one, unless you have On Star, in which case you won’t need a map either. But who has On Star and not a cell phone? Even if you just get disoriented in a city and want to call someone to straighten you out- guess what- pay phones are an endangered species. That cell phone is going to come in real handy if you become a victim of road rage. Bring a charger for that phone also!

Let's say you’re driving down the interstate and another vehicle attempts to get you to pull over or take an exit. If you have a cell I would use it to call the police. Of course it would be great if you could get the license number and description of the vehicle, but the first priority is to keep yourself safe.

If you have no cell phone and you continue to be harassed you must try to ignore it and do not pull over until you get to a populated rest area (do not exit if there aren’t a lot of people there) or a busy gas station or, best yet, a police station. I’ve actually heard of this happening to someone I know. Don’t fall for the signal to tell you that your tire is low or your tail light is out, etc. Remember to always practice car security.

If you are in minor accident, get to a populated, well lit area. If you can't move to another location, do not unlock your car or get out! Leave the car running and one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. Open your window just enough to exchange information. If the other person tries to get in your car or threaten you in any way, floor the gas pedal and get out of there. Don't worry about being rude- just get out of there!

If the car is not drivable and someone opens a door and tries to get into the car you need to get out of the other side and run- for your life!

Here's something else to watch for:

This hole has been punched or drilled under the car door handle. Once the thieves make this hole they are able to unlock- and re-lock your vehicle.

The most recent email suggests that a thief will break into your vehicle using this almost unnoticeable method (usually done on the passenger side).

The thief will then make off with a few less noticeable things and access your GPS to determine your "home". They will then stake out your house to watch for when the vehicle is not there and proceed to rob it. Whether this is their motive or not, it reinforces the car security guidelines about not leaving valuables in your car, especially and information about your address.

At any rate- watch for the hole!

Click on the links to read about these car related subjects:

Car Jacking

Road Rage

Unmarked Police Cars

Keys and Safety

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