Carjackings are here to stay

The latest crime statistics covering the last two quarters paint a familiar picture: carjackings in South Africa show little sign of relenting. An average of 60 vehicles are hijacked every day, and the list of most-targeted vehicles and high-risk areas remain largely consistent. Newcomers to the list include Kia Picanto, the Isuzu D-Max, and the Toyota Corolla Cross.

High-risk areas remain consistent as well. In the Western Cape, the N2 leading to Cape Town International Airport, nicknamed ‘the gauntlet’ or ‘the road to hell’ by locals and the media, remains dangerous. In Gauteng, Alexandra features high while KwaZulu-Natal’s Inanda remains a hijacking hotspot.For motorists, the most important question is what can one do to reduce their risk?

CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, answers: “The most important thing to understand is that no person, vehicle or area is immune to carjacking risk. Falling into complacency because your vehicle is not on the list or you seldom frequent high-risk areas is your biggest vulnerability. Vigilance is non-negotiable for your family, your employees and yourself. Here are some practical steps to reduce your risk as much as possible:• Drive in the middle lane wherever possible: this creates distance from the road edges and makes it more difficult for criminals operating from the roadside, particularly on high-risk routes.