General Security Tips

To remain as secure as possible when driving and leaving your vehicle, you must always be aware of your surroundings the same way you need to keep an eye on the road. You should also trust your intuition, and if you are feeling threatened or alarmed, you should go ahead and make the effort to be extra cautious and prepared for action.

Simple Steps to Greater Security

In addition to keeping your car locked when driving or leaving it, you can greatly improve your vehicle and personal security with two simple things: first, reduce the appeal of your vehicle and yourself to attackers; and second, be prepared to react to a perpetrator or situation.

To make your vehicle and its contents less appealing to would-be thieves, keep jewelry, wallets, watches, handheld devices, and similar items out of sight while driving and when leaving your vehicle.

You may also be seen as a target when talking on your mobile phone while driving. For phone conversations, computer work, or other tasks that require you to stop driving, find a safe, secure, and legal place to park, pull over, and talk or work there, keeping an eye on the area around your vehicle while parked.

Maintaining a good sense of awareness will also help you and your car stay more secure. Just as you must plan ahead while driving and think about what you would do if a truck in front of you hit the brakes, you must think about your plan of action if a would-be assailant approached your car.

Don't assume that everyone approaching your vehicle is a threat, but do think about and be prepared for evasive action, which may be quickly getting back in your car, hitting the gas to drive away, or honking the horn to signal for help and dissuade an attacker.

You should also think about what would happen if your car was broken into and burglarized. Vehicle insurance may cover damage or theft of your stereo and other items, but there are other things that can be at risk, including personal information and other data on laptop computers and handheld devices. These should not be left in the car.

Furthermore, you should also keep your trunk and other parts of the vehicle empty, unless you are prepared to lose that custom set of golf clubs, keepsake baby crib, photographs, or other items that may have special value to you.

Lastly, you should make sure you are ready to get in or out of your vehicle when approaching or leaving the car. You should not stand next to the car with the door open while you talk on your mobile phone, jingle the keys, or other activity. If you are getting something out of the trunk, do so quickly, and be aware of your surroundings, other people, and potential threats wherever you are. Crimes, including carjackings and vehicle break-ins, occur virtually everywhere.

Security Checklist

Some of these efforts to stay secure while driving and parking your vehicle may seem somewhat tedious or extreme, but once you get into the habit of them, they are as natural as putting on your seatbelt before motoring away.

Here is a quick checklist to remind you of the important things to do to keep your vehicle and yourself secure:

• Keep valuables, including computers, mobile phones, purses, wallets, jewelry, watches, and packages, out of sight.

• Avoid contact, including eye contact, with strangers, such as pedestrians and other drivers.

• Do not roll your window down for anyone unless you know them.

• Have a mobile phone charged and turned on to call 911 in an emergency.

• Park in well-lit and high-traffic areas.

• Walk to and from offices or other buildings in pairs or larger groups.

• Look around your car briefly before getting in or out of it.

• Avoid places where you are isolated and there are no other people nearby.

Dealing With Law Enforcement

Obviously, police and other law enforcement officials are a resource for your security, and you should report any thefts or other incidents promptly and completely.

However, there have been cases of assailants posing as police officers, complete with uniforms and vehicles with sirens. If you are being signaled to pull over by a police officer, you should pull over at the earliest, safest opportunity.

The exception to this centers on isolated, unlit, or otherwise unsafe areas where there is a lack of other motorists or pedestrians. If this is the case, you have a right to continue driving, without trying to evade by speed or maneuvering, to a safe place to pull over for the law enforcement officer.

Many states have laws allowing drivers to do this, and while most police and other law enforcement officials offer help and support to the public, you must still be cautious of the situation, and remember your security and rights.