Simple Do It Yourself Instructions > DIY Security / Safety
Practices that can help you stay safe driving a vehicle in areas with high crime rates
1. Vary your routes (the roads you take) and your times of travel every day. Keeping your schedule unpredictable makes it more difficult for potential criminals to track your movements and conduct surveillance. This practice should be carried out even if it means adjusting your work schedule or daily routines. Note: Immediately contact law enforcement authorities if you suspect you are being followed.
2. If in traffic keep distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. If traffic comes to a standstill, you will want ample room for an exit.
3. Stay alert and take a mental note of vehicles that are on the road with you. Remember details, car make, license plate, times, and other relevant details. Practicing this awareness may help you identify a vehicle that is following you.
4. Discreetly use your side mirrors to watch cars behind you to see if you are being followed.
5. If in a foreign country, study your geographic location, use maps before you travel about, and become familiar with the road systems, hospitals, military checkpoints, police stations, transit systems, airports and embassy locations. This information will be useful in the event of an emergency.
6. Avoid dead end streets, cul-de-sacs, congested bridges, tunnels, or narrow roadways with poor escape routes or have poor visibility. Try and avoid traffic slow-downs by taking different routes.
7. Keep a cell phone with you at all times in the event of an emergency. Keep your family and/or colleagues abreast of your movements and locations if you are traveling well outside of your normal routine.
8. Learn the local customs and try not to stand out especially in a foreign country. Drive with the natural flow of traffic. Act like a native and not a tourist.
9. Keep windows rolled-up when traffic is congested.
10. Always keep your gas tank topped-off. Perform scheduled maintenance on your vehicle.
11. If in a foreign country or unfamiliar area, carpool or convoy if possible. It's always good to have safety in numbers.
Related: Parking Vehicles in Areas with High Crime Rates or Hostile Countries
Defensive Driving in Areas with High Crime Rates
Practices that can help you stay safe driving a vehicle in areas with high crime rates
1. Vary your routes (the roads you take) and your times of travel every day. Keeping your schedule unpredictable makes it more difficult for potential criminals to track your movements and conduct surveillance. This practice should be carried out even if it means adjusting your work schedule or daily routines. Note: Immediately contact law enforcement authorities if you suspect you are being followed.
2. If in traffic keep distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. If traffic comes to a standstill, you will want ample room for an exit.
3. Stay alert and take a mental note of vehicles that are on the road with you. Remember details, car make, license plate, times, and other relevant details. Practicing this awareness may help you identify a vehicle that is following you.
4. Discreetly use your side mirrors to watch cars behind you to see if you are being followed.
5. If in a foreign country, study your geographic location, use maps before you travel about, and become familiar with the road systems, hospitals, military checkpoints, police stations, transit systems, airports and embassy locations. This information will be useful in the event of an emergency.
6. Avoid dead end streets, cul-de-sacs, congested bridges, tunnels, or narrow roadways with poor escape routes or have poor visibility. Try and avoid traffic slow-downs by taking different routes.
7. Keep a cell phone with you at all times in the event of an emergency. Keep your family and/or colleagues abreast of your movements and locations if you are traveling well outside of your normal routine.
8. Learn the local customs and try not to stand out especially in a foreign country. Drive with the natural flow of traffic. Act like a native and not a tourist.
9. Keep windows rolled-up when traffic is congested.
10. Always keep your gas tank topped-off. Perform scheduled maintenance on your vehicle.
11. If in a foreign country or unfamiliar area, carpool or convoy if possible. It's always good to have safety in numbers.
Related: Parking Vehicles in Areas with High Crime Rates or Hostile Countries