A car is a source of increased danger not so much because it belongs to complex technical means, but because it is the object of constant attention of criminals.

That is why, before buying a car, you need to worry about a safe place to store it and foresee the costs of purchasing various anti-theft equipment.

The most vulnerable parts of the car should be marked: glass, headlights, radio equipment, wheels, tires, scarce parts. What to mark? By engraving, stamping, permanent or invisible paints - radioactive or luminescent. Tags make it easier to find the kidnapped and to expose the offender.

In almost half of the cases, motorists themselves are to blame for stealing cars: they forget to close the door, window, leave the keys in the ignition or "provoke" intruders by leaving bags, packages, expensive electronics in the car. Therefore, if you cannot, leaving the car for a while, put things in the trunk, then at least cover them with a newspaper or an old rug.

If you have to leave the car on the street or in the yard, then you should prefer the most illuminated places. It is much more dangerous to hide the car in a dark corner. You should not leave your car near the cinema, swimming pool, theater where you arrived. The offender can easily determine how long you will be away.

The bitter experience of motorists and traffic police officers suggests a number of anti-theft capabilities. Leaving the car, even for a second, you must remove the ignition key; to develop an unconditioned "reflex of closing the car": keys, doors, windows, alarm, trunk, hood, look into the salon; wash a new car less often, let it look old; glue a transparent self-adhesive tape "cobweb" from the inside to the glass, giving the glass the appearance of being broken; alert technical anti-theft equipment.

If you left the house and noticed suspicious people at your car, it is better not to approach, pretending that the car is not yours. Moreover, you should not throw yourself under the wheels when the car has already started before your eyes. It is more effective to raise a noise, ask to call the police, and ask your neighbor to block the exit of your car. The first stone that comes across to break the windshield of your car (the broken glass will certainly attract the attention of people, and even more so the police officers), remember the signs of criminals, the direction of movement and call the police.

While driving and at stops, keep the windows and doors of the car closed: bandits can break into the salon even while you are waiting for a green traffic light at an intersection.

Talk to voters through the slightly lowered glass, the doors should be closed, and your foot on the gas pedal.

Try not to give a lift to strangers, and if you really had to, then put the passenger next to the front seat, ask them to fasten their seat belt. If you feel that something is amiss, stop abruptly and get out of the car with the ignition key. If a passenger makes you suspicious, then it is best to stop at the traffic police post, ask something, or just wave your hand to the inspector, as a friend - robbers do not like witnesses very much.

If the car has a headrest, raise it as high as possible, this will make it more difficult to hit the head and throw on the stranglehold. Keep a pry bar, fire extinguisher, and self-defense equipment on hand, but remember that using a gas weapon in an enclosed passenger compartment is dangerous for you as well.

It's good if your car is equipped with a secret button for turning off the gas supply - this will help in case of danger to simulate a malfunction, the car will stop. The same button can be used if, under the threat of a weapon, your keys were taken away or you were forced to sit in the back seat.

In the event of a direct threat from the passenger (demand to change the route, give money, ignition key), draw attention to your car: break traffic rules, turn on all lights, sound signals, do not be afraid to scratch a nearby car, etc. - your life is more expensive.

If it seems to you that your car is being chased by another, change direction, make detours, slow down and increase speed until you are sure to what extent your suspicions are justified. If you are really being persecuted, stop at the first police post.

If someone tries to stop your car by blocking the road with a car, crash into it at speed in places corresponding to one third of its length (behind the front or in front of the rear wheel) to clear the way.

If the car breaks down in a remote dark or other dangerous place from where you yourself cannot ask for help, then raise the hood, turn on the emergency lights, tie a scarf to the antenna. Then close the doors and windows, turn off the engine. Open the window only to ask to call the police or other help.

And the last recommendation is to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which, unfortunately, is quite common among drivers. Do not stay in a garage with a closed door when the engine is running, and in calm weather and in the absence of ventilation, it is dangerous to be in the garage with the door open. Never rest, much less sleep, in a car while the engine is running. No victim has yet been able to detect the dangerous effects of carbon monoxide beforehand.

(based on the materials of V. Zhavoronkov. Toolkit. Emergency Safety ABC. Based on materials from the book edited by A.I. Murovitsky. Don't panic.)