A simple thing that we can do that may make all the difference is to buy a good steering wheel lock, and to use it! The one prerequisite of car thieves is that they need to take your car in sixty seconds or less. More time than that means hanging about when the owner can suddenly return, or time for witnesses to appear. So, take the case of two cars of identical make parked side by side, and the thief has an order for that make. One has a steering wheel lock and the other doesn’t. There are no prizes for guessing the most probable one that will be stolen.
My car was stolen and later set alight. Because it was broad daylight when I parked it, and in a “good neighbourhood”, and because I wasn’t going to be gone a long time, I didn’t put the steering wheel lock on, although I locked the doors.. When I later went to where it had been set on fire and found the wheel lock just where I had left it, I could have wept with anger. Now, unless I am absolutely certain that I will not be away from the car for more than two minutes, I put the lock in place.
When parking at night in a place that is practically void of people, before switching off the car engine or putting on the interior light, have a quick 360-degree look around for any suspicious movement. If not completely sure that all’s clear simply drive off. Remember, when you are in the car with the interior light on your movements can be clearly seen.
If you do use a scheduled rest stop and your car is left out of your sight while you are in the building, it would perhaps be a good idea that when you return to it that you walk around it paying particular attention to the inflation of the tyres.
Spanish law states that you must produce the documents for the car when required by a police officer. Generally, the wording is along the lines that the documents must be carried in the car at all times so as to be produced on demand. That does not mean that the documents need stay in the car when it is parked. The only person who hopes that your papers have been left with the car is the thief who is planning on stealing it. With the documents he not only steals your vehicle, he also steals your identity, and what’s more, he now knows your address. If you have left nothing to link you and your address with the car you make his task more difficult.
It is best to have a system for taking the papers into and out of the car as you go. If they are attached to the key, this will be one sure way. The other advantage is that in the event that the car is stolen you will not experience any delay in the recovery/claims process as you will have your originals.
If you have off-road parking, especially in town and at night, it really is best to use it. Hooligans have been known to set fire to cars just for the fun of it. However, when choosing undercover parking one has to take into account the risk of flooding as happens during the “gota fria” season. Far too many cars are lost to water while trying to avoid fire and vandalism.
Many of the high-end cars have very sophisticated locking systems, and thieves who wish to steal them simply do not bother with the traditional methods of overcoming the locks. You should know that if they really want your car they will come for it when it is parked at your home. There have been too many instances of breaking and entries primarily for the purposes of stealing the car keys. This is not to scare or alarm you, this is about being fore-warned to be fore-armed.
Spanish law prohibits the practise of hitchhiking by those on foot, and drivers are forbidden from picking up hitchhikers. This is a very difficult situation to apply evenly because of the circumstances that may lead to the necessity of asking for a ride. Should one’s car break down and it is just not possible to get a tow truck to come out into the middle of nowhere, you are left with only one alternative.
For the driver of the car who is being asked for help, this presents a special danger. If it is at night, and on a lonely road, the situation that confronts him may be genuine or a set-up for robbery.
The other potential problem with picking up strangers is that it can never be ascertained from a quick glance whom you are taking on board. On balance, it perhaps should be avoided if reasonable.
It almost goes without saying that to avoid falling into those circumstances requiring that sort of help, keep your vehicle in peak running condition, and never set off without sufficient petrol to get you to your destination.
Lastly, I include in this list the common sense suggestion that one should never try to make it to your intended destination, especially at night if fatigued. This condition is not only a problem at night. During the day one can struggle to stay awake. But at night, when driving back streets and along country roads that are lightly travelled, the element of fatigue increases the risk that something is likely to go horribly wrong.
This scenario is bad enough for a man alone, but for a woman it is to be avoided at all costs. However, should you find yourself in just such a situation this is where your mobile telephone comes into its own. You need to be certain that you have enough battery charge, enough credit, and you need to know exactly where you are. Refer to the roadside markers that appear every kilometre for that information.
Make your driving safe and secure every day. Be road smart!
Copyright (c) 2008 Eugene Carmichael
