Hitchhikers are now targeting these vehicles more constantly in South Africa Security and insurance experts have indicated an supplement in kidnappings over the once two months and revealed the times of day your auto is more likely to be stolen or commandeered and what types of vehicles are being targeted. Fidelity services group CEO Wahl Bartmann verified to BusinessTech that within the Fidelity footmark, they had seen an increase in the number of kidnappings recorded between March and April 2023. Bartmann noted that the most prominent kidnapping tactic over these months is targeting victims at their homes. He said that victims who situate outside a house and exit or enter their gates are particularly vulnerable. “ Some incidents arepre-planned, and before the kidnapping , some perpetrators follow victims to identify the victims ’ homes and trip habits, ” he added. According to Fidelity, vehicles under the Toyota, VW, Ford, and Nissan brands continue to be common targets among culprits, and the specific models include Toyota Hilux, Fortuner, and Corollas VW Polos Nissan NP200s These buses are frequently among South Africa’s most popular vehicles – according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa( Naamsa)’s reports – and demand for these vehicle corridor is incompletely the reason for their fashionability among hitchhikers. “ In a time of disintegrated force chains – due to factors similar as cargo slipping, the impact of cataracts and lockdowns in different corridor of the world – corridor vacuity impacts which vehicles are more popular among stealers, ” said Naked Insuranceco-founder Ernest North. He added that “ when there’s high demand and low force of corridor for a particul According to the data, kidnappings regard for 54 of vehicle thefts between 05h00 and 12h00, while 47 of thefts do from lunch to 21h00 and 25 between 21h00 and 05h00. Another intriguing observation is that you’re more likely to have your auto stolen whilst driving in the morning than if your auto was situated nearly. This trend also shifts to a 75 liability while situated at night. Naked’s data is presented in the table below, showing the liability of your auto being stolen throughout the day whilst driving vs situated. Time of day Driving Situated 05h00 – 12h00 54 46 12h00 – 21h00 47 53 21h00 – 05h00 25 75 Given the continued frequence of kidnappings in the country, both North and Bartmann agreed that staying alert is presumably the most pivotal tip, including Avoid driving or parking in an relaxed area when possible; be watchful if you travel at night. Drive with your windows closed and doors locked. Keep valuables similar as smartphones, computers and jewellery out of sight. When a vehicle is following you close to your home or when an unknown auto is situated close to your hearthstone, drive past your house and head for a busy place, like 24- hour garages, hospitals, police stationsetc. Consider taking a commandeer forestallment and mindfulness training programme from an institution like the National Hijack Prevention Academy. Read culprits have a new target in South Africa