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Driver
Protection
Even the most careful driver can be faced with an emergency
situation. Use your common sense and these tips to help protect yourself from
danger:
 | If
your car should break down and you're not near enough to one of your safe
spots, follow these steps:
 | Get
off the roadway, out of the path of oncoming traffic, even if you to
have drive on a flat tire. The tire is replaceable.
|
| Turn
on your emergency flashers. If you have emergency roadway flares in
your trunk, position them conspicuously.
|
| Raise
the hood and tie a handkerchief to the aerial or door handle.
|
| If
a roadside telephone or call-box is handy, use it. If not, sit in
your locked car and wait for help.
|
| If
a motorist stops to render assistance, it's better to remain in the
car, and ask him to get help. (Likewise, if you see a stranded
motorist, it's better not to stop. Notify the police.)
|
|
| If
you think you are being followed, don't drive home. You would only be
telling your follower where you live.
| Stay
Calm. As long as you think clearly, you'll be in control of the
situation.
|
| Flash
your lights and sound your horn long enough to attract attention to
you, and consequently the person following you.
|
| Drive
to one of your already identified safe spots, sounding your horn and
flashing your lights. Do not leave this safe location until you're
sure your follower is gone.
|
| Remember,
you are your best protection. If you allow these steps, you'll be
protecting the most important part of your car-YOU.
|
|
Protecting
Yourself
Common sense will generally steer you clear of the very
infrequent dangerous situation:
| Always
lock your car doors while driving, and roll windows up far enough to keep
anyone from reaching inside.
|
| At
stop signs and lights keep the car in gear and stay alert.
|
| Travel
well-lighted, busy streets. You can spare those extra minutes it may take
to avoid an unsafe area.
|
| Keep
your purse and other valuables out of sight, even when you are driving in
your locked car.
|
| Park
in safe, well-lighted areas near your destination.
|
| Always
lock your car, even for a short absence. And before unlocking your car,
quickly check to make sure no one is hiding on your seats or floors, front
and back.
|
| Never
pick up a hitchhiker. Even the most harmless-looking stranger can be
dangerous. Don't find out.
|
| When
you arrive home, leave your headlights on until you have the car in the
garage and the house door unlocked. If you can have a remote control
garage door opener installed, it will allow you to remain in your locked
car until you're inside your locked garage.
|
| Check
the daily routes you travel and pick out safe spots-24 hour gas stations,
convenience stores, and police and fire stations. If trouble should arise,
drive straight to one of these locations.
|
Protecting
Your Car
Facts:
| Every
33 seconds a car is stolen.
|
| More
than a million cars are stolen a year.
|
| 40%
have keys in the ignition.
|
| 80%
are unlocked.
|
| Most
are stolen by young opportunists.
|
To keep
your car from becoming a statistic:
| Always
lock all doors.
|
| Roll
windows up tight
|
| Install
tapered interior door lock buttons.
|
| Park
in heavily traveled areas, always locked.
|
| Engrave
an identifying number on a hidden place on the car and on any valuable
components to help the police identify recovered property.
|
| Don't
leave any valuables in sight.
|
| Don't
hide spare keys-they can be found.
|
| Don't
think it can't happen to you-act before, not after the crime.
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While you've been
reading this brochure, ten cars were stolen. They were stolen because the
opportunity was there. If you have taken these protective measures, you may
deter the theft of your car. The thief won't have to look far for an easier
target.
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