subject: Interstate Ford Offers Tips For Women Driving Alone [print this page] Interstate Ford Offers Tips For Women Driving Alone
When you are driving around the local Dayton area or anywhere in the nation, you need to be cautious. If you are a woman driving alone, you'll need to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and your Interstate Ford.
Women are at particular risk for crimes committed on the road. There are many reports of men imitating police officers who pull unsuspecting women over and attack them physically. There are also cases where women pulled over to play a Good Samaritan only to be attacked by those she was trying to help.
Driving alone, there are some special considerations to make:
Stay On Alert
Your gut instinct will often be your first red flag that something is not right. If you feel you are being followed while driving or are afraid to approach your car in a dark parking lot, don't hesitate to listen to your instinct. Find a public place with a lot of people and get someone to help accompany you to your car. If you think you are being followed, don't pull over unless you can find a police station to get help. Call 911 from your cell phone and request help.
Let People Know
Whenever you are traveling alone, whether on a long trip or just driving home from work, let someone know your plans. If something should happen, people will know to look for you.
Never Stop if Unsure
Don't pull over for someone who seems in need. Just call 911 and report what you see. If it's a legitimate break down, the police can assist further. If you are being pulled over by a car you can't identify, contact 911 and request information about police in the area. The dispatcher should be able to ascertain if the car is really manned by a police officer. If you still are unsure, pull over only in a well-lit parking lot of a public place and make the cop provide official identification.
Employ a GPS
If you are driving alone and get lost, you are often so distracted you don't notice much else going on around you. Additionally, you may find you need to stop for directions in an area you are not familiar with, putting you at risk.
Let It Go
In the event a perpetrator approaches you with a weapon, just hand over the keys and whatever else meets their demands so they can go away. Call for help as soon as you can. Never fight for your things as you are risking your chances of getting hurt. Your Interstate Ford vehicle is not worth your life.
