Your child is safest in the back seat of the car.

With the approach of the festive season, there is more traffic on the roads and heightened shopping activities. Unfortunately, with persons being preoccupied with their daily activities, criminals often seize this opportunity to strike, and incidents of carjacking and theft tend to increase as thieves, pickpockets and hustlers normally have a field day.

Below are some safety tips which should not be forgotten while driving on the roads, especially during the festive season. Criminals will almost always strike what they perceive to be the easiest targets, or the ones which they expect to present the least resistance. As such, never forget that good security always begins with having the correct mindset, and there is no substitute for being properly prepared in so far as rehearsing how you would react in certain situations when instinct inevitably takes over:

Driving on the Road

1. Pay attention to details around you. The use of cellular phones and other electronic devices while driving are frequently factors in road collisions. If there are passengers in the vehicle, let one of them take or make the call. Additionally, being distracted while driving reduces the likelihood of you noticing that you are being followed.

2. Be especially alert when stopped at traffic lights or stop signs. Carefully observe all individuals approaching your vehicle on foot in such instances, and keep your windows closed and your doors locked, in addition to ensuring that your purse, wallet or other valuables are not carelessly left on the seat of the car in plain view for all to see.

3. Frequently check your rear view mirrors and take note of vehicles behind you. If you suspect that you are being followed, make a series of left-hand turns and observe if the vehicle behind you does the same. Remain on main roads where possible, and sound your horn constantly, as criminals hate unwanted attention. In such circumstances, never forget that your vehicle can be used as your most effective 'weapon'.

4. If a car hits yours from behind, do not stop, especially at nights or if on a desolate road. Try and secure the make, model and licence plate of the offending vehicle and drive to the nearest police station.

5. Don't forget about 'Tyres and Tarmac'. When stopped in a line of traffic, ensure that you can see the rear tyres of the vehicle in front of you, along with part of the road. If you are unable to do both, then you will be unable to manoeuvre around that vehicle in an emergency situation.

6.Do NOT drink and drive! Alcohol is a significant contributing factor in road fatalities and studies show that almost 40 per cent of drivers killed have been drinking.

7. Check your tyres at least once per month for uneven tread wear, bulges, cracks, cuts and foreign objects. A blown out tyre has lead to many fatal car accidents and even a simple flat tyre increases the risk of your becoming a victim of crime as, again, criminals often pounce in such situations.

8. If travelling with children, remember that the safest place for children younger than 12 years old is in the back seat of the vehicle, with this being especially true if there is an airbag for the front passenger seat.

Azar