Motorists in and around Pretoria are warned to be aware of what is happening on the road this festive season and especially to be prepared to avoid spikings.
AfriForum has compiled a map with hotspots for this type of incident, especially in the vicinity of Pretoria.
The organisation has been monitoring incidents where spikes or stones are used on roads to target motorists for some time now.
The AfriForum neighbourhood watches also focused on combating the incidents and assisting victims. This year there have been several cases where spikes and other methods have been used to force motorists to stop their vehicles on public roads, after which they have been robbed.
Several incidents took place on national roads such as the N1, N12, N14, N4, R566 and R80 in the vicinity of Pretoria.
This map shows hotspots in and around the city where harmful obstructions have been placed on roads, or cases of spikings have occurred on the road.
However, this type of crime is not only limited to this area and road users must be prepared in general in order not to become victims, the organisation warned.
“The criminals who commit these acts are doing it every day of the week from Monday to Sunday. Although criminals can attack motorists at any time of the day, information indicates that incidents are more likely to take place in the evening and continue late into the night," Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s chief spokesperson on Community Safety said.
He added that the perpetrators work in groups ranging from two to ten individuals, and criminals are armed with anything from sharp objects to handguns.
Criminals use various techniques to force vehicles to stop, from spikes placed on the road to stones blocking the road.
For example, offenders committing crimes along the R80/R566 Rosslyn exit have used objects (not necessarily spikes) to block the highway, forcing vehicles to stop to remove the obstruction.
Another method involves them throwing stones at vehicles, hoping that motorists lose control of their vehicles and cause an accident.
“AfriForum encourages motorists who drive on these routes to be vigilant. We also appeal to the public that if they are aware of cases like this, they should report them to the police and their nearest AfriForum neighbourhood watch,” Broodryk said.
The organisation reminded the public of several safety tips in the event they are confronted with such a situation. These include that they should under no circumstances stop the car after an incident in which the vehicle’s tyres, windscreen or other parts have been damaged.
Motorists are urged to continue driving as far as possible to a safe destination.
Confronted by a road spiking or similar incident, motorists should immediately contact their local neighbourhood watch, security company or emergency services and tell them about the incident.
They should provide full details of the object used in the trap and provide its address or location. This will prevent attacks on motorists who may be targeted afterwards in the same way.
It is also wise that motorists and their passengers ensure that their mobile phone is charged before they hit the road. It is also encouraged that people share their location with loved ones, especially when travelling alone.
“Be prepared and get into the habit of looking ahead in the road in order to spot any threats, foreign objects or people on or along the road in time,” Broodryk advised.
Another tip is to save the contact numbers of the emergency services, neighbourhood watch or security company on your phone.
Motorists should also consider installing an emergency service application, such as a panic button application, on their phone.
Pretoria News