It is every parent’s dream to be able to give their children their very first set of car keys, to allow them the freedom to go where they want.

What can car owners do to better protect themselves and their vehicles? And what advice is there for parents who are worried about the safety of their matriculant or student children who might be getting behind the wheels of their first cars soon?

“Vehicle tracking systems can offer the same kind of protection that your home’s alarm system offers. It can warn you if anyone is trying to steal your (or your child’s) car, and it can help locate it when it has been taken by someone,” says Wahl Bartmann, chief executive of the Fidelity Services Group.

Awareness, says Bartmann, is as important as always and it is critical that parents talk to their kids about safe driving habits. He recommends keeping an eye on your surroundings when you are on your way home (from work, from school, or even from campus).

“If you suspect you are being followed, put your indicator on and slow down at least two to three houses prior to your home. If you are being followed, you will force the vehicle behind you to pass and this could cause the criminals to lose interest.”

Vehicle telematics systems and car trackers (such as SecureDrive, one of the products offered by the Fidelity Services Group) offer real-time tracking of your vehicle’s movements. It warns you if anyone is trying to gain unauthorised access to your vehicle while it is a valuable resource that can help locating the car once it has been stolen or hijacked.

In the unfortunate event that you are hijacked, how do you give your car over in a non-threatening manner?

Bartmann says the first and golden rule is to not antagonise the hijackers.  “You need to show you are not a threat. Lift your arms to show you have no weapon and will surrender.”

He also recommends:

• Use your left arm to undo your seatbelt and put your car in neutral;
• Do not turn off your car;
• Get out slowly;
• Try and angle your body sideways so you are not facing a firearm head-on;
• Remember to protect your head with your arms;
• Avoid direct eye contact with the hijackers;
• Try to take in what they are wearing, the sound of their voices, etc.
• Most importantly, try to remain calm.