3You may not fear being forced from your car by a stranger or forced to drive a stranger at gunpoint, but the trend that began in the early 1990s has picked up speed in the 21st century. Mentally preparing yourself for a carjacking will help you survive, should you and your car be jacked.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Most carjackings occur in parking lots or parking garages, taking you by surprise as you approach your vehicle. Carjackers take for granted that you're likely distracted as you prepare to get into your car—finishing a conversation on your cell phone, looking for keys in your purse or thinking of what you need to do next. You're at risk when you're distracted. Minimize distractions before you head for your car.Scan the scene for suspicious individuals or activity. As you approach your car, glance on both sides and underneath the vehicle to make sure no one is hiding nearby—also look in the back and passenger seats to make sure no one's inside. Lock the doors once you're inside, even before you put your keys in the ignition.Park smart. You are less likely to be the target of a hijacking if you're parked in a well-lit, visible location. If you park during daylight but won't leave until after dark, make sure you check that there will be adequate lighting and security. Avoid parking in alleys or at the far end of dimly lit parking structures.Leave your car. If you are confronted by a carjacker who demands your keys, throw your keys as far as you can, then run in the opposite direction. This can also work if you throw the keys from your car, even if this means pulling them from the ignition. If you don't have the keys, you're of less use to the carjacker. As soon as you throw the keys, jump out of the car and run in a zig-zag pattern away from the vehicle. If the assailant is armed, this will make it harder to shoot you.Give it some gas. If you are carjacked and have no way to get out of the vehicle safely, your best bet may be to cause a collision. Stepping on the gas (whether in a parking lot or in traffic) will undoubtedly cause you to crash into something (a parking divider, another car). This will cause a scene and, if you're lucky, make your car undrivable. Carjackers aren't looking to draw outside attention and will likely flee the vehicle if you can smash into something, especially if someone is in the other vehicle. You may not want to smash up your ride, but it's a lot easier to erase the damage to your car than it is to erase the emotional trauma of a successful carjacking.
