Vehicle Security - Part Two

 Personal Security In and Around Vehicles

In the second part of the discussion of personal security in and around vehicles I will discuss the qualities of a vehicle that enhance your ability to remain safe from crime, security while driving, vehicle breakdowns. 

Upcoming part 3 shall cover being followed, being attacked while inside the vehicle including from within the vehicle, having a gun in your vehicle while driving to other states, dealing with police stops of your vehicle, and the Castle Doctrine law as it applies to vehicles in Wisconsin.

Americans spend a lot of time driving.  Because we’re moving, the conditions and surroundings are subject to constant change.  We don’t always have the ability to avoid bad areas, being slowed or stopped by construction or accidents or weather.  We cannot control who may be around us.  

Eighty percent of attacks on VIPs happen while they are in a vehicle.

Desirable Vehicle Features

• A vehicle kept in good working condition and full of fuel will reduce the chances of breakdown, particularly in high crime or remote areas.

• Consider the fuel gauge at half-full to be “empty”

• Suddenly finding your tank is empty when you are lost or in need of getting away from someone following you is not good

• SUVs provide better security than passenger cars because:

• You have a better chance of surviving a crash

• The higher vantage point makes it easier to spot trouble ahead

• If necessary you can use the off-road capability to escape danger’

• The SUV can cope with debris and high water in the road

• A greater ability to push blocking vehicles out of the way

• OnStar, Ford Sync or similar services which provide:

• Handsfree calling

• Crash detection]

• Navigation

• Stolen vehicle tracking

• Ignition block

• Remote unlocking of vehicle in case of lost keys

• Roadside assistance

• Cell phone charger

• Bright flashlight with extra batteries (I have five or six flashlights in my vehicle, two in the passenger compartment and 3 in my emergency backpack)

• Emergency mylar thermal “Space” blankets

• First aid kit that includes supplies intended to stop major bleeding:  gauze, CAT tourniquet, compression bandages, hemostatic powders or dressings (e.g. QuikClot® )  Learn how to use these!

• A firestarter:  lighter, ferro rod, magnesium bar, etc.

• A good survival style knife, preferably one that emits good sparks if you need to start a fire

• Water

• Tool kit

• Spare tire, jack (make sure all of the components are there), air pump, jumping cable (learn how to use these!), gorilla tape

• “Sanitize” your car.  Don’t leave valuables in sight. Don’t leave anything that reveals personal details about you in sight either:  Bibles, pornography, sports equipment.  A hair brush or baby items may suggest that you’re female, possibly alone.  Mail on your seat can reveal both your name and address, and it also tells them that you’re not home if your car is in the mall or your employer’s parking lot.  Reveal as little about yourself as possible.

• Stickers you have on your vehicle may or may not have a good effect.  A gun-related sticker might deter someone from messing with you, but it also might tempt someone to break into your car in hopes of finding a gun.  A sticker that suggests that you’re a police officer also might deter someone, but it also may tempt someone who dislikes police to damage your vehicle.

• Vanity plates are easy to remember and make your vehicle stand out and easy to spot.  Not good. License plates can be traced to the owner.  Even a phone app such as ORTO can reveal details about the vehicle’s user without actually identifying him or her.

• Be completely familiar with how to use everything that is part of your vehicle or that you carry inside it.  

While Driving

• Plan your trips

• Know the route ahead of time, online maps are useful

• Look for traffic flow and road closures and slow downs due to construction, accidents, bad weather

• Know alternative routes as well

• Know the locations of gas stations, police stations, fire stations, hospitals, and hotels and restaurants you plan to use

• Professional level planning includes knowing the locations of facilities that have security on duty:  airports, military bases, guarded industrial facilities

• Whenever possible, don’t travel alone

• There is safety in numbers, you’re less likely to be attacked than when alone

• If your travel partner is security-minded they can provide a second set of eyes

• Personal tip:  Crack a window

• In city traffic I almost always keep the driver’s side window cracked about a quarter of an inch regardless of weather.  Doing so increases your ability to hear sounds from outside your vehicle:  sirens, cars approaching from behind, etc.  Try it and notice the difference.  (A little fresh air doesn’t hurt either, it keeps you more awake and alert.)  Remember to roll up the window when you leave your car, don’t give them even the smallest advantage to break into your vehicle!

• Follow traffic laws and practice good driving skills:  Allow plenty of space between you and the vehicles ahead, don’t allow yourself to become distracted while driving, pay attention to what is happening ahead and behind you.  Read the traffic as far ahead as you can see and not just the vehicle ahead of you.  Look for swerving, brake lights, hazards.

• Remember brakes are not the only way to avoid hitting something.  Use the steering wheel too.

Vehicle Breakdowns

• Stay with your vehicle if:

• The weather is bad and going out in it is risky (blizzard, thunderstorm, severe cold or heat)

• You have contacted someone and help is on the way (friend, AAA, etc)

• It’s too far to walk to the nearest place

• You’re on a well-traveled road which is likely to have police passing by

• You’re in a secure, well-lit populated area

• Walk for help if:

• A safe place is within walking distance (based on your level of health and provisions you have with you.) But do not leave if it means leaving a disabled person or child in the car.

• You have no way to let someone know you’ve broken down (no working phone, no coverage)

• The vehicle cannot protect you from weather conditions (e.g., out of gas and heat or a/c no longer functional)

• You have proper gear and clothing for the walk

• The weather is not severe

• Leave your car but stay hidden in the vicinity if:

• You have called for help, but you are in a bad area (An out of place that will draw the attention of people who may want to steal, vandalize or strip parts of the car.  If you see this happening, resist the urge to confront them.)

• Activity or people nearby are making you nervous

• Your car is a expensive or a luxury vehicle that will draw undue attention in a bad area

• Have AAA or other roadside assistance so you do not have to rely on strangers.

• People have been lured into a setup and attacked or robbed when stopping to assist what appears to be a broken down car.  If you want to help, call the police to report the car but keep moving. 

• If your vehicle breaks down, decline the help of strangers especially in remote or low traffic areas.  If someone approaches, stay in your vehicle with the doors locked and windows up.

• If you experience a vehicle breakdown, immediately call a trusted friend or family member to inform them of what happened and your location.

• Use emergency flasher lights

• If you get a flat tire in a bad area you can usually drive (slowly) on a flat tire for a few miles. You will ruin the tire, but it's not as valuable as your life!