Rising Incidents of Truck Hijackings: Anticipate with These 11 Measures

Many criminal cases occur on the road with truck drivers as the victims. Business owners and truck drivers are inevitably required to find strategies to anticipate these highly dangerous and damaging criminal acts. Prevention can be carried out through preparation, deterrence, and response to truck hijackings. Below are several measures that can be taken by business owners and truck drivers.

 

1. Avoid stopping on the hard shoulder

Many hijacking incidents occur when drivers pull over on the hard shoulder to rest. It is better for drivers to take breaks at motorway rest areas, truck depots, or common driver stop points (not on the hard shoulder). Avoid isolated, dark, or poorly lit areas. If necessary, business operators can allocate funds for drivers to stay overnight in safe accommodation.

 

2. Driving side by side

Truck drivers look out for one another on the road, one way of doing this is by driving in convoy. In addition to reminding each other to stay focused while driving, drivers can also assist one another in the event of hijacking incidents.

 

3. Be cautious of strangers

While on duty, drivers must remain vigilant at all times, even when eating or resting. For example, they should not disclose information about the type or value of their cargo to newly met individuals, should not stop when someone signals them to pull over in the middle of the road, and should ignore greetings from people who appear overly familiar or suspicious.

 

4. Equip drivers with legal self-defence tools

Drivers need to equip themselves with legally permitted self-defence tools, such as pepper spray, stun guns (close-range electric shock devices), and high-powered torches. It is important to note that these tools are intended to help drivers protect themselves until they can escape and move the truck away from the hijackers.

 

5. Sound the horn continuously when confronted by hijackers

One reason to avoid isolated locations is to ensure that drivers can receive help or at least have witnesses present if a hijacking occurs. In such situations, sounding the horn continuously can be an effective way to attract the attention of people nearby. A portable horn, such as the SABRE Bear Horn, can also be used for the same purpose if the driver is far from the truck’s horn.

 

6. Recognise the characteristics of the perpetrators and the vehicle used

It is important for drivers not to panic and not to hesitate when taking appropriate action when confronted by hijackers. In doing so, drivers are not only able to defend themselves, but also gather information about the perpetrators and the vehicle used by them. For example, the perpetrators’ physical appearance and the type of vehicle used.

 

 

7. Carry out regular vehicle inspections and maintenance

Ensure that trucks are always in good condition so that there are no sudden breakdowns while driving on the road. In addition to preventing accidents, this can also minimise the risk of hijackings. Because truck tyres easily overheat, drivers should also allow the truck to rest at least every 100 km to avoid tyre blowouts on the road. To make service management and maintenance easier, you can use Cartrack’s scheduling reminder feature, which can automatically detect odometer readings and engine hours.

 

8. Install a vehicle tracking device

A vehicle tracking device, such as a Cartrack GPS tracker, can assist in reconstructing road incidents. Location points can be identified from the vehicle’s trip history based on the time of the incident. In addition, operators can use this data to consider alternative routes or different travel times for passing through the same route.

 

9. Install cameras in vehicles

In addition to GPS tracking, cameras can provide crucial visual evidence in the event of a robbery. With Cartrack's smart cameras, you can view live footage and download footage from the Cartrack app or website whenever the vehicle is active.

 

10. Implement an emergency communication system

An emergency communication system is needed to request assistance from relevant parties, such as the implementation of Cartrack’s panic button. This panic button is typically installed near the steering wheel, allowing drivers to press it discreetly in emergency situations. A notification is immediately sent to the fleet operator’s email, enabling them to check the vehicle’s real-time location and dispatch assistance promptly.

 

11. Install an authorised driver identification system

Hijacking incidents can escalate into the theft of trucks and their cargo. For this reason, you need to install a security system on trucks to ensure that only authorised drivers can operate them. Cartrack provides a driver ID tag that can be combined with an engine immobiliser, where the driver must first tap the tag on a reader before being able to start the engine.

 

Minimise the risk of hijacking incidents and losses during deliveries with the tips above. Use Cartrack for further preventive measures. Cartrack technology, such as GPS tracking devices, panic buttons, smart cameras, driver ID tags, engine immobilisers, as well as the Cartrack app and web platform, can be your preferred solution for preventing truck hijackings. Send us a message here now.