Lisa said:
My family and I are planning a trip this summer. We will be travelling in parts unknown to us and it got me thinking.
What Thinking in advance? I am shocked! This cannot be, for that would be the first step in self defense. Thinking about where one is going and/or what one doing.
Lisa said:
What are some of the safety precautions you take when travelling either far distances or just travelling around town? Do you keep a “weapon” you can use, handy in case of carjacking or someone trying to reach through your open window?
I travel with a pen in the car. It si good to take notes, even on your hand. Also you can stab with it.
I travel with a flash light as well as gloves and a small tool kit that includes electrical tape in case one needs to tape a hose until the next exit. In this I also include gloves. I also have towels or blankets in the vehicle I care not about, so I can throw on the ground if I need to work on something.
As to weapons I will take some pocket Knives with me, and almost always carry one, and possible have one availabel while in the car. This stops the "I forgot to put it into or pull it out of my pocket issues".
I travel with bottled water. This is good to drink and keeps one hydrated also if required the plastic bottles can be filled with water to put into a vehicle if required.
I also travel with "snack" (* Peanuts/raisins/fruit/etc. *) food, this also keeps ones blood sugar right and able to pay attention.
Also the phone charger for both car and wall.
Lisa said:
I had a girlfriend once have a man unlock her passenger door through an open window and attempt to get in when her window was down during one hot summer day. I never travel with my passenger window rolled down when I am alone in the car. Also, my doors are ALWAYS locked, especially if I may have to travel to an area I am unfamiliar with. I also try to avoid the not so great areas of town and take the extra few minutes to find a different route home.
Yes pay attention to your surroundings. Also note that small curbs or slopped curbs can be run over to get away. Leave some room to turn the vehicle. Always use an outside lane instead of an inside lane. (* This is good and bad, as the outside lanes are where pedestrians are most likely to be as well *). Be willing to back your car into the car behind you to make room and drive away. You can go to the police and call your insurance company later, as you have survived the situation. Now this requires there to be an actual problem and not just being scared or paranoid.
Lisa said:
What are some safety tips you have when travelling either distances or in your home town?
Home Town: Do not go on this street or north of that street until you get outside of town or west of this street, .... You get the idea avoid the bad areas. Yet, I break this to go to my training place every time, but I pay attention and keep room and do not act like a victum.
Elsewhere: Really pay attention. Have a map for the area. I use AAA insurance just for this issue. Every year multiple times a year I hit them up for maps. And if I go someplace I had not planned I look for a AAA office and get some of a books tore and pick up a local map. Being faniliar with the roads to avoids dead ends and when people say avoid this area you know where they mean.
Now for those lucky enough to be able to afford something like "On Star" use it. If you get into an area where you are lost, call them and they will give you directions turn by turn and street by street to get you back to a major road or express way. Plus if anything happens you are on the call with them. If one is truly scared and your program does not cover multiple calls, call them and asked them how much to upgrade to the next level. How much for just a call? Most times they will comp you the one call to show you they type of service you can expect.
More later if I think of it.
