The natural reaction when a vehicle hits your car from behind is to stop and get out to assess the damage or call the police. However, police now warn motorists to assess the surrounding before stopping, or pull over only at a safe public place.According
to an analysis of the latest crime records, robbers have devised a new
way of getting their victims, which police call “bump-and-rob”. This
is whereby robbers in a vehicle hit the rear of their target’s car
and attack the motorist when he or she stops to assess the damage and
record the vehicle’s information.
On
Wednesday, around 5am, Mr Stanley Nzai, a taxi driver in Mombasa, was
taking a German visitor from the Moi International Airport to Mile Rose
Apartments in Shanzu, when a car hit his vehicle.He
stopped and got out but realised his car was not damaged. As he was
getting back, he was hit twice on the head and he fell unconscious. The attackers drove away with his vehicle with the German visitor identified as Enold Jean Hasert, 68.Later,
police found the vehicle and the foreigner abandoned at Mwakirunge. Mr
Hasert was robbed of 5,600 Euros (Sh672,000) and an air ticket. He was
injured on both hands.
In a similar
incident on Monday night in Nairobi, Mr John Muchina was driving in
Industrial Area when his car was hit by another vehicle.He stopped to check the extent of damage and three occupants of the other car, one armed with a pistol, attacked him.They
robbed him of two mobile phones and Sh12,000. They took over of his car
and later abandoned him in Syokimau in the outskirts of the city. His
vehicle has not been recovered.
FENDER BENDER
Similarly, on April 5, at Biafra Estate in Nairobi, Rajab Shibole’s car was hit from behind when he slowed down at a bump. He
stopped and a series of robberies followed in which a motorist was
fatally shot and another injured. He was robbed of Sh5,000 and two
mobile phones.When Mr Shibole got
out of his car, four men armed with an AK-47 rifle and two pistols
confronted and bundled him into his car as two of the gunmen took
control of his car, according to Kasarani OCPD Augustine Nthumbi.They
used the car to block other vehicles. A motorist who attempted to
drive off was shot. He lost control of the vehicle and landed in a
ditch. Police later found him dead in the driver’s seat. The
robbers proceeded to Kahawa Road, where they blocked another car. The
driver resisted but was shot as he sped off. He was admitted to a
hospital.
To reduce the chance of falling a victim on a highway, police advise that motorists should drive in the centre lane.The
robbers usually target cars with a driver and at least one passenger,
according to police. After bumping and the motorist stops, either the
driver or other attackers pounce. In some cases, they drive away with
their victim’s car, if the key is left in the ignition. Nairobi
County Police Commander Benson Kibue advises motorists that if they are
hit by another car, they should look around and study the other car
through the mirrors.“Do not pull
over to the side of the road unless there are many people in the area,”
he says. “If not, drive away to a populated area.”Police
also warn that other criminals are employing a method called “fender
bender”, where the attackers slam on the brakes, causing the victim’s
car behind to run into theirs. If the motorist stops and gets out, he or
she is robbed.“Also be very
careful when someone tries to alert you to a problem with your vehicle.
You may stop and fall a victim,” says Mr Kibue.
SURVIVAL TIPS
How you can avoid falling victim
- Be very observant while driving home since some carjackers follow their victim home, only to attack at the gate.
- Always stay alert. Keep your doors locked and the windows up to increase your safety, and make it more difficult for an attacker to surprise you.
- If you are driving into a gated community, call ahead to have the gate opened. The longer you take at the gate, the more vulnerable you become.
- Most attackers are interested only in the vehicle and the valuables in the car. If they need the car, give it up freely.
- Try to stay calm and non-confrontational since your objective is not to thwart the crime but to survive without injury.
- Do NOT stare at the attackers. Tell them your intentions in advance by keeping your hands in view. Do not make quick or sudden movements that the attacker could construe as a counter attack.
- When driving, it is important to appear confident and in control. If you appear lost, weak or preoccupied you increase your chances of becoming a victim.
- Many carjackings occur at red lights and stop signs.
- Avoid driving alone, if possible, especially at night.
- Do not stop if you see a stranger whose car is broken down on the side of the road.
BE SAFE AND STAY SAFE
More at: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Watch-out-for-the-vehicle-that-hits-yours-from-behind/-/1056/2341582/-/dcxa58/-/index.html
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