Avoid Becoming a Carjacking Victim: Tips to Reduce Your Risk

Los Angeles and St. Louis are reportedly the two most likeliest cities in the United States to get carjacked in. However, according to the Justice Department, about 34,000 incidents happen across the nation every year. That statistic tells us that most anyone, anywhere, is at risk. Read this informative article and learn how to avoid becoming a carjacking victim!

Carjacking can happen in most any area, especially in the urban areas. Carjackings are most likely to happen in parking lots while you're walking to your vehicle, according to Personal Safety Expert Marc MacYoung. To help protect yourself when you leave a building and start walking onto the parking lot, you should look around the area. If you see any suspicious-looking people hanging around, go back inside the building and find someone who will accompany you to your vehicle.

And, always walk with your car keys in your hand so you're ready to unlock your vehicle right away. Walk with a purpose and confidence like you know exactly where you're going, and you're less likely to become a victim of this crime.

(Anytime you park your vehicle, you should park in a well-lit parking area as close as possible to the place you're going to. You should also wind up the windows and lock the doors everytime you get out of your vehicle.)

Then, once you're in your car, immediately lock the doors. Putting your seatbelt on is not only the law, but it will also help deter a carjacker from pulling you out of your vehicle.

To avoid becoming a carjacking victim, you should also take the closest route that leads to your destination. Traveling into strange neighborhoods can mean
t-r-o-u-b-l-e, especially when you're traveling alone. And, keep plenty of gas in the vehicle's tank and keep your car maintained so you're less likely to end up stranded somewhere.