Signal jamming isn’t new – it’s been around for a number of years – however, the frequency in which it occurs has changed. South Africa is one of the world’s hot spots for hijacking and vehicle theft and the increase in incidents where signal jamming devices are used has become a prevalent challenge for anyone who owns a car. This is forcing us to become more vigilant not only for our own safety but for the safety of our vehicle and its contents when we are not around. Whether you just popped into the shops for 5 minutes or parked outside a restaurant for a leisurely dinner, here are 4 preventative steps to take when it comes to jamming:
- Make sure your vehicle is locked before you walked away. So often we are distracted, in a hurry or even on our phones, so even if you think you have locked the car with your remote and perhaps even heard a click or beep – take the extra few seconds to physically check that your doors are locked.
- Make sure any valuables left inside the car are out of sight. Don’t make yourself a target by leaving a laptop, money or any item that could be tempting to a would-be thief. Place all valuables in your boot and be vigilant as to who may be watching.
- If for some reason you are unable to lock your car, alert security at the parking lot immediately (if available) and move your vehicle to an alternative location. Car jammers need to be relatively close for the jamming to work – so be vigilant and should you feel uneasy or threatened, get back in your car and drive away.
- Subscribe to a vehicle recovery service that has the latest technology that can detect vehicle jamming and alert the control centre to ensure continuous visibility – helping to combat vehicle theft.
Signal jamming is just one of the numerous threats that we have to deal with and the age-old saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ certainly rings true when it comes to signal jamming. It only takes a moment to physically check your doors are locked before walking away – a moment worth sparing!