How to prevent carjackings by checking your car’s automatic locking systems
It’s Friday night and you’re headed home after a long week of work. You stop at the Mini Mart to pick up a few things for the weekend. You smile because this time… you remember to get some reusable shopping bags from behind the passenger seat. Just as you snag two of your favorite ones, the drivers side door bursts open, and someone grabs you. You’re trapped…seat belted in with nowhere to go and under the control of someone who wishes to do you harm. Maybe they want your money, your car, or worse.
This same scene has played out many times in real life because people don’t realize their car is equipped with an automatic door lock/unlock feature that can unlock the doors when the car is shifted into park. They think they are safe when they are literally sitting ducks.
You may not even know if your car has this feature. Check today and disable it either in the car’s settings or take it to the dealership and have them do it.
Here are a few examples of car models that may have the automatic door lock/unlock feature:
- Toyota: Many newer Toyota models have this feature, including the Camry, Corolla, RAV4, and Highlander.
- Honda: Newer Honda models including the Civic, Accord, and CRV.
- Ford: Some Ford models have this feature, such as the Fusion, Escape, and Edge.
- Chevrolet: Many Chevrolet models have this feature, including the Malibu, Equinox, and Traverse.
You are vulnerable in your car if the doors are unlocked. This happens not only when you are getting out but when you are getting in. At C.O.B.R.A. SATX, we tell our students to “Lock and Load” when they are entering their car. Make it a habit to engage the door locks before you close the door or as soon as you close it depending on the model. “Lock” the doors and “Load” yourself, belongings, and passengers. Never sit in an unlocked car. Many countries and regions have specific regulations that require all new cars to have automatic door locks that engage when the vehicle reaches a certain speed. This is a great safety feature to prevent occupants from accidentally opening the door and falling out, especially in the case of small children or to keep doors from opening during an accident. Carjackings generally occur when the car is stopped not when it is in motion. This is the critical time for personal safety. Being aware of your environment and what is going on around you is a vital part of everyday self-defense.
Drive Smart. Stay Safe.