Vehicle spikings have resurged in South Africa in recent years, posing a serious threat to motorists travelling on major roads.
Spikings refers to when sharp objects are deliberately placed on the road, usually at night, in an attempt to puncture a car’s tyres and force the driver to come to a halt.
Once the person pulls over at the side of the road to inspect the damage, criminals will emerge from the foliage and overpower the victim.
They will often steal the victim’s phone, wallet, and car, but in extreme cases, they will kidnap the person and take them to ATMs to withdraw as much money from the victim’s bank accounts as they can.
This type of crime was put into the spotlight again in late November, when an individual was shot dead after criminals spiked his car while driving along the N1 between Carousel and Maubane.
The victim was reportedly spiked in a planned ambush between the Carousel Toll Plaza and the Maubane Ramp.
When the victim pulled over, the attackers opened fire. The driver was shot and declared dead at the scene.
“This is the nightmare that haunts every South African driver: the sudden lurch of spikes beneath the wheels, the frantic search for safety, and then the gunfire,” said the Live Traffic NPC.
“In seconds, an ordinary journey became a family’s worst nightmare. A life stolen on a public highway.”
Private investigator Mike Bolhuis explained that criminals will typically throw their spike traps on the road when the target vehicle is 400m to 500m away.
They also cover the spikes in plastic bags or cardboard boxes to mask the danger to oncoming drivers.
How to avoid spike traps
The vehicle tracking firm Cartrack advised motorists to adhere to the following guidelines to avoid becoming victims of a spiking attempt:
- Maintain a good following distance
- Do not stop for any objects on the road
- Avoid driving at night, especially on secluded freeways
- If possible, change lanes just before passing under a bridge
- When circumstances allow, drive in the middle of two lanes
- Travel at a reasonable speed in dangerous areas, preferably under 80km/h
It also recommends that motorists contact their friends or family members before setting off, ideally sharing their live location as they travel.
Furthermore, you should consider installing a GPS tracking device that can broadcast your vehicle’s location to a tracking company.
While they are not an option for all motorists due to their cost, run-flat tyres are a good way to safeguard against vehicle spikings, as they allow the car to keep moving even after the tyres have been punctured.
One other thing to bear in mind is to be wary of roadblocks in unusual locations or at odd times, as these are unlikely to be official police checkpoints and may be a ruse to lure in unsuspecting motorists.
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