FAQs

Courier Drivers and Hijacking: What You Need To Know and Prevent

Get the answers to the most commonly asked questions about courier drivers and hijackings. Find out how your drivers can prevent it from happening and what solutions we have for that.

1. Why are courier vehicles targeted more than private cars in South Africa?

Courier vehicles get targeted more than private cars in South Africa because of the goods they carry. Most of the products transported by courier vans can easily be resold without leaving a trace. You can find anything from cellphones and appliances to luxury human hair wigs and perfumes. Those are portable things of good value that criminals want.

2. Can a Cartrack panic button be detected by hijackers?

No, our panic buttons can’t be detected by hijackers because they are discreetly installed and not all placed in the same area. The panic buttons are placed anywhere where the driver can reach, which can be on several parts of the vehicle.

3. How do I protect the vehicle when the driver is outside making a delivery?

To protect the vehicle while making a delivery, you need to ensure the ignition is off, all doors are locked, and all windows are closed. Ensure that you can make use of our CarWatch feature, where you’ll get alerts of unauthorised vehicle movements.

4. How quickly can a recovery team be dispatched if a courier vehicle is hijacked?

A recovery team is dispatched immediately after our control room agents receive your call or if they notice suspicious activities through our other security features. The sooner you report the vehicle as stolen, the faster the turnaround time. Features like panic buttons and immobilisers speed up the process and increase the chances of recovery.

5. What are the most dangerous times for courier hijackings?

The most dangerous times for courier hijackings are during peak hours of the day, like in the afternoon around 16:00. This is because most drivers are tired by that time and therefore let their guard down by not checking their surroundings. There’s also a lot of traffic and confusion around that time, making it easier for hijackers to attack.

6. What skills should courier drivers have to prevent hijackings?

The skills courier guys should have to prevent hijackings are:

  • Always being aware of surroundings while driving.
  • How to quickly get out of being boxed in by hijackers.
  • How to use vehicle anti-theft devices and software.
  • How to be vigilant at parking areas when making stops.

For more on hijacking prevention tactics, check out this blog

7. How to train your couriers to be safe?

You can train your courier drivers to be safe by showing them how to avoid falling victim, like paying attention to their surroundings and ensuring all doors are locked. You must conduct regular hijacking prevention training sessions to ensure your drivers don’t forget the safety procedures and are updated about new tactics.

8. Is hijacking increasing for courier companies?

Yes, hijackings for courier companies are increasing because more people are using courier services nowadays. To protect your fleet from this, make sure you invest in GPS tracking technology for a Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) service and other theft prevention tools.

9. How does Cartrack help with protecting your courier drivers from hijackings?

At Cartrack, we help you protect your courier drivers in preventing hijackings with vehicle security tools like:

  • GPS trackers: For live location updates.
  • Panic buttons: For a discreet call for help.
  • Remote immobilisers: To remotely turn off the ignition so the vehicle doesn’t move any further.

10. Types of cargo are mostly targeted for courier vehicles

The types of cargo that are mostly targeted for courier vehicles are groceries, clothes, cellphones, and appliances. This is because such goods can easily be resold to other people without leaving a trace. To protect your courier fleet from this, you must invest in a vehicle tracking system because it gives your vehicles added security.

11. What are the top tips for preventing hijackings?

The top tips for preventing a hijacking are:

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • Avoid high-risk areas.
  • Stay up-to-date with the news and latest hijacking tactics.
  • Get a GPS tracking device.
  • Maintain a safe following distance so you can quickly move out of a dangerous situation.

12. Is there a courier car that doesn't get stolen?

No, there’s no courier car that doesn’t get stolen. Criminals target all courier vehicles depending on where they are, the time of day, and how easy it will be to gain access to the vehicle. The best thing to do is invest in vehicle anti-theft devices like a GPS tracker and also train your drivers on safe conduct.

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