If you are a lone driver, there are some simple steps that you can take to help to keep yourself safe.
1. Think about where you park your car, park near the exit in a car park, or in a well-lit area if it will be dark when you return.
2. Always approach with ‘the key in your hand and check the back seat of your car before getting in.
3. Carry a loud alarm, preferably a torch alarm, handy in your pocket.
4. Never leave a jacket or bag visible in the car. If you must leave them, lock them in the boot.
5. Never respond to bad or aggressive driving - a high number of fights start this way.
6. If you have a minor accident, be wary,’ about getting out. Open the window a crack and make them come to you. Keep your temper and try to persuade them to keep theirs.
7. Keep your doors locked and your windows up when in town.
8. Always lock your doors while paying for fuel especially at a large petrol station.
9. Carry a map or an A-Z so you do not have to stop to ask directions (although Sat Nav is taking over from this role for many people).
10. If someone is following you, never lead them to your house. Drive to a crowded place or a police station.
11. Make sure your car is in good working order with enough petrol, perhaps carry a spare can petrol so that you do not get stranded.
12. If your car starts to splutter or sounds unhealthy, drive to a garage or to the nearest telephone on the motorway: don’t limp on until it dies in the middle of nowhere.
13. If you do break down, try to decide whether to look yourself in and wait for help. If you are on a busy motorway, remember the hard shoulder is dangerous. You are more likely to be injured sitting in your car than attacked sitting at the top of the bank waiting for your tow-truck.
14. If you have broken down and a man approaches offering to help, wind your window down a crack and politely say “Thank you, my husband is on his way”.
15. If someone tries to flag you down, don’t stop, but report the incident to the police in case it’s a genuine emergency.
16. Try to be as anonymous as possible. Don’t provide a potential rapist with a chat-up line by putting stickers all over the car.
17. Tell people where you are going and what time you expect to arrive, then if you don’t arrive they will come looking for you.
18. Some car alarms can be fitted with a personal attack button.
