Road Rules� Park in busy, well-lighted areas.� Carry the registration and insurance

card with you. Don’t leave personal IDsor credit cards in your vehicle.

� Leave only the ignition key with theattendant when you pay to park in a lotor garage. Do the same when you takethe car for repairs.

� Report your stolen car to the policeimmediately.

A Little Extra Protection� Etch the Vehicle Identification Number

(VIN)—found on a metal plate behind thefront windshield—on the windows,doors, fenders, and trunk lid. This helpsdiscourage professional thieves who haveto either remove or replace etched partsbefore selling the car. Copy the VIN andyour license plate tag number on a cardand keep it in a safe place—the police willneed this information if your car is stolen.

� Investigate security systems if you livein a high-theft area or drive an automo-bile that’s attractive to thieves. You mayget a discount on your auto insurance.

What About Carjacking?Carjacking—stealing a car by force—has captured headlines in the last fewyears. Statistically, your chances ofbeing a carjacking victim are very slim,and preventative actions can reduce therisk even more.

� Approach your car with the key inhand. Look around, inside, and under-neath the car before getting in.

� Keep your car doors locked and win-dows rolled up at all times while youare driving.

� Be especially alert at intersections, gasstations, ATMs, shopping malls, and National Crime

Prevention Council

Crime Prevention Tips FromNational Crime Prevention Council1700 K Street, NW, Second Floor

Washington, DC 20006-3817www.weprevent.org

and

The National Citizens’ Crime Prevention Campaign, sponsoredby the Crime Prevention Coalition of America, is substantiallyfunded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of JusticePrograms, U.S. Department of Justice.

Production made possible in partby a grant fromThe American LegionChild Welfare Foundation, Inc.

convenience and grocery stores—all arewindows of opportunity for carjackers.

� Park in well-lighted areas with goodvisibility, close to walkways, stores, andpeople.

� Beware of the “bump and rob” wheresomeone lightly hits your car frombehind. When you get out to assess thedamages, the carjacker’s accomplicegets in your car and drives away.

� Give up your car with no questionsasked. Your life is worth more than a car.

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Getting a driver’slicense is a big

deal for every teenager.It represents freedom, the chance to go newplaces, and a great dealof responsibility. Thevehicle you drive—thefamily car, a motorcycle,even your own car—mayseem like an oasis, safefrom the hassles of every-day life. But you are stillvulnerable to crime.

Here are a few things to keep in mindto help keep you crime free on the road.

� Don’t drink or do other drugs anddrive. And don’t ride with drivers whoare under the influence.

� Keep your car in good working condi-tion and the gas tank full. If your cardoes break down, pull over and stayinside it with the doors locked and thewindows rolled up. Wait for the policeto arrive or ask a passing motorist tocall the police for you.

� Always lock a parked car, and lookunder and inside the entire car to see ifsomeone has gotten into your car beforeyou get back in.

� Avoid parking in isolated areas. Ifyou’re uncomfortable about where yourcar is parked, ask a security guard orstore staff to watch you or escort you toyour car.

� Drive to the nearest gas station, openbusiness, or busy, well-lighted area toget help if you think you are beingfollowed. Don’t head home.

� Use your cellular phone, if you haveone, to call the police if you are beingfollowed. Otherwise, stay off cellularphones while you are driving.

� Don’t pick up hitchhikers. Don’thitchhike.

Taking Your Anger on the RoadRoad rage—uncontrolled anger orfrustration because of traffic conditionsor other drivers—is becoming a seriousproblem throughout the country. Amajority of drivers get angry whensomeone cuts them off or tailgatesthem. Here are some tips on avoidingroad rage:

� Keep calm when you’re driving. Insteadof retaliating, count to 10 and take afew deep breaths.

� Back off when someone cuts you off. Ifsomeone tailgates you, change lanes.Don’t get pulled into a game of chickenon the road. Your life and the lives ofothers are at stake.

� Keep a reasonable distance betweenyou and the car in front of you, andmake sure that you aren’t cutting some-one off when you change lanes. Drivein the passing lane only when you arepassing another car, and be sure to useyour signals.

� Use your horn sparingly—as a warning,not an outburst.

� Don’t make obscene gestures to otherdrivers, no matter how mad they makeyou—even if they make obscene ges-tures at you.

� Don’t fight over parking spots.� Stay out or move out of the way of

other angry drivers.

Don’t Make it Easy for a Thief To Steal Your Wheels

You don’t want to lose your newfoundfreedom by losing your car.

The Basic Prevention Policy� Never leave your car running or the

keys in the ignition when you’re awayfrom it, even for “just a minute.”

� Always roll up the windows and lock thecar, even when it is front of your home.

� Never leave valuables in plain view,even if your car is locked. Put them inthe trunk or at least out of sight. Buyauto stereo equipment that can beremoved and locked in the trunk.

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