First, some Carjacking facts:

• Carjacking take place very quickly. Most take only 15 to 20 seconds to complete.
• Carjacking can be violent. Drivers have been beaten and even murdered while being pulled out of their car.
• Carjackers are usually armed. Either with a gun or knife.
• Carjacking may first involve a minor traffic accident. The victim's car is "bumped" at a stop sign, red light, or freeway off ramp. When the victim gets out of the car to check the damage the suspect pulls a weapon and takes the car.
• Other carjacking occur at stop signs or lights - the suspect may approach you and pull a weapon on you ordering you out of the car; or as you are pulling into or out of a parking space - a second vehicle may block your path with a passenger from the suspect's vehicle getting out and pulling you out of your car; or as you are entering or exiting your car - the suspect may be standing close by, in a parked car, or hiding by other parked cars, buildings, etc.

  Safety Tips:

• BE AWARE. This is very important! Giving the appearance of not paying attention and not being alert is what suspects look for in a victim.

Look around and get a BIG PICTURE of your surroundings.

• At times you may want to be a little suspicious of a person or persons, ask yourself why is this person where they are? Some victims have seen the suspect but the victim thought the person looked "innocent," "he was just standing around," etc.
• Keep your house keys and car keys on separate key chains.
• When going to your car have your keys out and ready; look around for anyone "hanging" around your car or your path to your car.

Don't hesitate to run back to where you came from to get help.

• LOOK AROUND one last time just before exiting your car. When you pull into a parking area look around for anyone "hanging" around, or someone who seems to "pace" their walk to arrive at your parking place as you are exiting your car. If you see someone like this move to another parking area or leave the area.

If you do not see anyone around then park your car, and try to avoid parking next to large vehicles such as vans.

BUT, by the time you are ready to exit your car several seconds have passed - there could now be someone in the area - SO, TAKE ONE LAST LOOK AROUND before exiting your car, keeping your car keys handy in case you need to get back in quickly.

By keeping your keys in your hand you can quickly get back into your car if someone suddenly appears and approaches you....GET BACK IN THE CAR - HONK THE HORN - START THE CAR - AND START THE CAR MOVING OUT OF THERE!

• In a minor "fender bender" type accident, if the location is secluded, instead of getting out immediately, you may want to drive to an open business, Police Station, Fire Station, etc. for your safety. Motion the other driver to follow you; you do not want to give the other driver the idea you are running away from an accident, even though the other driver caused the accident.
• Keep your car doors locked and windows rolled up.
• Keep packages, purse, etc. on the floor rather than on the seat where they are easier to see.
• Keep your car in good working order and with plenty of gas.