Bump talk
ON THE ROAD & IN YOUR CAR
“We all have an idea of what we should do to protect ourselves and our families against harm; however, refreshing this knowledge could be of great value should we find ourselves in an unfortunate situation,” says André Ittmann, the chief executive officer of Cartrack. While no one situation is the same, Cartrack shares some tips to consider when travelling in your car.
PREVENT HIJACKINGS
1. Have your key ready but not visible. Unlock your car when you’re close by. Avoid talking on your cell phone while you walk to your car. 2. Ensure your car has been locked after you’ve pressed the locking devices. 3. Check the back seat and under seats before getting into your car. 4. A well-maintained car is less likely to break down and leave you vulnerable, so keep your services up to date, especially if you’re taking a longdistance journey. 5. Always check the rear-view mirror to see if you are being followed. 6. Avoid distractions while driving, like using your cellphone. 7. If you suspect you’re being followed, drive to your nearest police station or to a busy public area. 8. When stopping behind another vehicle, leave a good following distance in front of you so you can safely pull away if necessary. Safety inside your car 1. Keep your baby in a rearfacing car seat as long as possible and at least until two years old, as muscles in a baby’s body aren’t developed enough to withstand the impact of a collision in a forward-facing seat. 2. Car seats have an expiration date – usually around six years. Find the label and check to make sure it’s still safe for use. Visit wheelwell.co.za for more tips on car seat safety. 3. Toys can injure your child in a collision, so only choose soft ones that will have minimal impact upon a collision. 4. Make sure everyone has their seat belts safely secured before starting your car. 5. Never leave your child alone in your car, even if you’re popping out for one minute. Temperatures in a car rise very quickly, and it simply isn’t safe to leave your child unattended in a car. 6. Centre seats are the safest – so place older children on these.