Being aware of your environment is key, if you approach your drive and see people on it or nearby, then do not park up or get out of the car. Drive round again and if they are still there call for help.
Always make sure your car doors are locked and beware suspicious people bumping you or tailgating you in order to cause a scene where you need to get out of the car. You don’t need to get out, even in an accident, if you feel threatened. Call the police and wait for them to arrive.
Listen to your gut instinct, if you are driving and see:
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Gangs stood in the road or at a junction
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Blockages in the road such as a wheelie bin
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A broken down car with someone suspicious flagging you down
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Someone flashing you and telling you to pull over
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A car following you home.
Don’t stop! If your sixth sense is telling you something is wrong, then it probably is. Call the emergency services either to get help for you or them. Keep your doors locked, windows up and the vehicle moving at all times with plenty of room around you to turn and get away.
If it is obvious you are in a carjacking situation and you have children in the car, make sure you shout this at the carjackers as this may put them off as it makes it more complicated for them.
Don’t let pride mess with you
It is completely natural to want to defend your property, especially as a man. Lots of men have this in-built ‘protector’ thing, so if another man tries to rob you, it is like a direct challenge to your manhood.
Let me tell you though – you are no less of a man if you give them that wallet or watch or car. Don’t let adrenaline and pride mess with you!
Even with all my training, experience and knowledge, I wouldn’t take on a group of men to protect my car. To protect my loved ones – yes 100% – but not material possessions.
Prepare mentally
As with most self defence, preparation, awareness and avoidance are key. Just pausing now for five minutes and thinking about how you would react in a mugging, carjacking or robbery situation will mean you are more prepared.
If you have never given a second’s thought to such a situation, then if it happens you will be shocked and react based on adrenaline – fight, flight, freeze or appease.
Like we said earlier, if the person confronting you has not yet attacked you, then you don’t necessarily want to initiate a fight or have to deal with the situation physically. Having a plan in your mind and thinking about it from time to time will help your body react how you want it to under duress.
Detach yourself mentally from these material possessions and have a very clear plan that if someone tries to rob you, then it is just not worth starting a fight.
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