How to escape from moving cars, or when trapped in public places, and get rescued after accidents

Problem
You are in a car.
The driver goes off the route planned, or down an unlit remote road, or locks the doors or refuses to stop. How do you get out?

Consider these options and consider which is safest for you in the circumstances.

1 Try to get the driver to stop voluntarily. Say you need the toilet or feel sick.

2 In a public place, pass a note saying call police to the cashier.

3 Know your own car, how to open the boot from inside. If locked in the boot, open the boot from inside. If you do it when parked, you can try to get out. If you are moving, open the lid. The driver won't necessarily know you have done it. Try to attract attention or write a sign, help, call police.

4 If you are in the passenger seat, grab the wheel suddenly to make the car steer off the road where people can see you. People will immediately rush to help to see if anybody is injured.

5 When you have a companion (eg if you were hitch-hiking in a pair, or have broken down vehicle and plan to accept a lift) plan some coded phrases which mean:
I don't trust this person
Let's pretend we have an appointment and need to get out.
Let's run, forwards.
Let's run, backwards.
Let's run to the right.
Let's run to the left.
Let's run in opposite directions so one of us can get help for the other.

6 Don't let children go back to the car in a car park to fetch something alone. At the very least, walk as far as the start of the car park and watch from a distance. Take your camera in case you need to photograph another car or person. Give them a phone and keep yours so you can speak to them and warn them if someobody is following them or too near them.

7 Photograph the number plate of a car before you get into it and email your photo home. Then even if your phone is taken the photo is on your system.

8 If possible, before getting into a vehicle, even the car of a friend of a friend, a friend, a relative, a friend's father, take a photo of the car driver, with or without their knowledge.

9 Photograph your route. If you disappear, either because you were attacked, or your car accidentally veered off the road, searchers will know your direction of travel. This could make all the difference to rescuers finding you fast.

10 Find my phone can also be used to find a missing person.

I have an earlier post about a book which advises on how to avoid kidnap and escape.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.