4 ways to avoid becoming part of the carjacking statistic in South Africa

Hijackings are one of the most serious risks that motorists in South Africa face, with roughly 50 incidents occurring every day.

According to the latest crime statistics from the South African Police Services, 4,778 carjackings took place over a three-month period in the third quarter of 2025.

Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape continue to record the highest rates, but the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga have also emerged as high-risk provinces in recent years.

With this in mind, it is vital for motorists to take measures to protect themselves against violent criminals.

King Price Insurance highlighted that there are four practical steps that drivers can take to improve safety and avoid becoming part of the hijacking statistic.

What you can do to minimize hijacking risks

The first action that motorists can take is to install additional security measures on their vehicle.

Wynand van Vuuren, client experience partner at King Price, noted that some insurers require the installation of tracking devices in certain cars.

“In these cases, your claim may depend on the device being installed, working properly, and both your insurance premium and the monthly fee payable to the tracking company being up to date.”

However, even it it is not required, a tracker can provide several benefits.

Some models include a front-facing dashcam that can record evidence of an accident. It can also be used to capture licence plates and the identity of perpetrators.

Another security measure is a built-in panic button that can be used to silently call for help as soon as you suspect you may be in danger.

An immobilizer can also help. “There’s a common misperception that installing a third party security system voids a car’s warranty, but this may not be true if the installation is done by an authorised provider,” said King Price.

It’s worth checking this with the dealership where you bought your car.

The second important step motorists can take is to be aware of their surroundings while driving.

This includes stating alert at off-ramps and intersections, avoiding distractions, and keeping doors and windows locked.

Motorists must also stay alert in slow-moving traffic, as criminals often use congestion to box in victims’ cars.

“One car may stop in front of you, and another may move in behind you to limit your escape route. Always try to keep enough space between your car and the one in front of you to enable you to get out quickly if necessary.”

Another tactic that criminals use is deliberately bumping a victim’s car with their own. The goal is to have the motorist get out to inspect the damage and exchange insurance info, at which point the criminals will jump the victim and steal the car.

“Don’t stop if you’re not involved in, or witness to, an incident. If an accident isn’t serious and no one is injured, it may be safer to continue driving to the nearest police station and file a report.”

The third point that King Insurance advises is to remain alert in parking areas and driveways.

Don’t open the gate to your house if you sense something is off. Instead, drive around the block to see if there are suspicious character lingering nearby.

When you do open the gate, wait until it is fully open before moving off the road and into the driveway.

“When parking, choose well-lit areas with people around. When returning to your car, scan the surroundings before unlocking it. Don’t waste time making a call or choosing a playlist before driving away.”

Lastly, always check your car before walking away.

Most new cars have smart key fobs with keyless entry and start, which are vulnerable to signal jamming or relay attacks where criminals intercept the signal from your key fob.

Don’t assume your vehicle is locked just because you pushed a button. Make a habit of physically checking the doors.