| >> ASK A QUESTION HOW TO ESCAPE A VEHICLE ATTACK
History shows us that the majority of attacks are conducted in and around vehicles. The reason for this is simply the target is much more vulnerable in the car and the car is a much easier target to penetrate than the room. And attackers are always looking for your weak points. Therefore car and route security issues should have the highest priority. As a rule, criminals attack the vehicle target when have well studied its route. So one of the most important countermeasures which should complicate their job greatly is the avoidance of fixed schedules and routines and frequent variation of regular times and routes. Especially it concerns constant routes of movement, for example, from home to office and back. Wherever you travel, you should have thorough knowledge of at least two routes - the main and alternate. The alternate route should go near the main route in order to shift to the other road quickly in case the situation on the main route change (repair works, traffic jams, traffic accidents, road blocking by police, apprehension of a possible attack, etc.). If possible, try to keep on the major well illuminated thoroughfares, which ensure the maximum speed and a minimum number of stops (traffic lights, intersections, etc.). Avoid, if possible, construction areas, waste grounds, deserted and narrow streets, industrial areas, park or forest roads (especially at night). Of course, the shortest way is more preferable. However it is better to take a highway, than to cut your way through deserted and dark by-streets. Traveling en route one should be aware of problem zones which are places that you are unable to avoid on a daily basis and where you have to stop or reduce speed – traffic jams, intersections with traffic lights, repair works, as well as points that could be vulnerable to the element of surprise (attack). It is also necessary to know important safe havens - locations where you would go to in the event of an emergency, such as police stations, airports, army outposts, and hospitals. Most frequently vehicles are attacked by criminals from ambushes. Ambushes may be stationary and mobile. The stationary ambush is made on the chosen section of the road if criminals know the route and the time-table of their victim. When the vehicle gets in a hit-zone they attack using guns. The task is seriously facilitated, if criminals manage to stop the car or even force at least some passengers to get out. To stop the car in the chosen point various methods are used – the road can be blocked by faked road works, traffic accident, temporary barrier, or any subject (a child-seater, for example), or a hitchhiker will wait for a pick-up. The mobile ambush is usually used when criminals are aware only of the departure of their victim. In this case the attackers use two vehicles, as a rule. They follow their victim along the rout. For the attack they usually choose deserted streets and alleys, country roads, railway crossings with barriers, intersections with traffic lights. In a suitable point one car of the criminal group suddenly blocks the automobile of the victim and the criminals from the second car begin the attack. As a rule, there are three persons in the attacking vehicle - a driver and two gunmen, one in the front seat and the other in the back. In the blocking car there can be only a driver. For example, the following scenario is possible. A car with a girl driver outdrives you and suddenly slows down and blocks your path of travel, compelling you to stop sharply. Another car comes and gets you "boxed-in" with guys starting to shoot from inside. At this time the car with the girl speeds up sharply and disappears in one of the side streets. Attacks against moving vehicles are rather rare. As a rule, they are carried out on the side of the driver of the victim”s car: the gunmen in this case can shoot simultaneously from two windows. The attack on the other side of the victim”s car will lose 50 % of its fire power. Attackers open fire when they reach "a blind zone" where the driver can not see them and go on shooting while their automobile is pulling along the victim”s vehicle. Areas with intersections and side streets that provide quick escape are usually chosen for such attacks. HAVE A LOOK AT OTHER SECURITY TIPS |
