Whether on foot or in a car, women are never safe from robbers and thieves. This is mainly because they view them as helpless damsels, carrying lots of valuable items such as jewelry. You can secure yourself with some basic night-driving tips.

When driving out late at night, safety must be your top priority. Never give and take rides from strangers and most importantly, never let your car break down.

With some knowledge of safety tips and basic self-defense, you can be a lot more confident when hitting the road.

Here are 10 ways you can keep yourself safe when driving alone at night.

1.  Never compromise on maintenance

Traveling alone at night and your car has just broken down? You’re at your most vulnerable. While malfunctions can happen anytime, you can reduce them through regular maintenance.

For women who are not well-versed in car repair, consider getting a safety check before you take a long trip. Also, remember to carry spare tires and fuel, and keep the vehicle’s instruction and repair manual with you.

Before each trip, check your car for flats, malfunctioning locks, and wobbly gearboxes.

2.  Keep an eye on the following vehicles

This is a good tip especially when there’s no one else on the road. Keep an eye for vehicles that seem to keep on following you. So to be sure, try driving around in circles, preferably around a park or fuel station.

If you suspect a vehicle is following you, keep driving and do not stop. Don’t let the suspects out-drive you. Drive to the nearest police station or fuel station. Or simply drive into a more populated place and try to get help.

3.  Keep your valuables out of sight

A lot of times, women on the roads are assaulted for their jewelry and valuables. The perpetrators see you as a damsel in distress, and they think it’s easy to get these items off you.

Keep your valuables such as your electronics, jewelry, watches, and handbag, out of sight. If you get robbed, never prioritize your valuables over your life. Unless they want to take both, in that case, your best shot is to out-drive them or get to a police station quickly.

4.  Let others know where you’re going

Before going on a long trip, let others know where you’re going. And try to be more specific about the route you’re taking. Although, your route may change if the situation calls for it. If you get stranded, inform your relatives and friends immediately of your location and situation.

If you’re not able to get help from passersby, call a local police station for help. Stay in the car with your doors and windows locked, till help arrives.

5.  Use the SOS feature

Most modern phones, including Android and iOS phones, have an SOS feature. You can find the feature by simply searching in your settings. Activate it, and press the power button thrice to send an SOS message along with your location to the authorities. You can also send the message to a few selected contacts.

You can also attach a picture of your surroundings to the message, or an audio recording. This can be useful when you can’t provide details of your situation and a quick photo or audio will help.

6.  Learn repairing basics

While it may take some time, learning the basics of how to repair your car can help you a lot. You no longer will be the helpless driver on a highway. Learn how to change a tire, fix a flat, jump-start the car, and filling your fuel.

For changing a tire, take a look at the following video guide:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=314HE4aMG-g&ab_channel=ChrisFix

Also, learn how to replace the head and tail lights, wipers, and spark plugs. You can also lookup from common solutions to a failed engine. Keep spare tires, fuel, and the car’s handbook at hand. Refer to the handbook for some basic troubleshooting and repairing.

7.  Safety in parking lots

It’s not uncommon for women to get robbed or assaulted in parking lots. Consider parking close to the guards’ check posts. Or park near the VIP area, which is usually heavily guarded.

Keep your keys out of the purse when approaching the car, so you can quickly get in and out. Unlock the car only when you get close to it. Remember to double-check your car’s locks before leaving it.

Take the elevator or stairs that are the most populated. It may be tempting to avoid tightly packed areas, but sometimes it’s a better idea.

8.  Makeshift weapons

Some basic weapons such as a folding pocket knife, pepper spray, and tasers are all good choices for self-defense. Look into local laws about self-defense, as most don’t allow anything other than a folding pocket knife.

You can make pepper spray at home using some basic ingredients such as pepper, chili, and salt. Here’s a video explaining the procedure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWfquvm_Xn4&ab_channel=Glamrs

When facing the opponents who are stronger than you, aim for the eyes and the groin, as this will incapacitate them. It’s much more effective than trying to take the opponent head-on.

9.  Avoid unsafe routes:

While it may be tempting to take a route with no traffic which may compromise your safety. Avoid routes that are sparsely populated, have no traffic and have a bad reputation. Also, evade these routes when attacks and looting are at their peak.

If you’re unsure, you can check with people you know to confirm the road safety. Google Maps also has some good features, such as the Stay Safer feature, that lets you know when a taxi is going off-route.

10.              Fear is your biggest enemy

And lastly, abandon fear. Whether you’re driving and stuck on a highway, never lose hope, or give in to fear. A lot of women are vulnerable on the road, but many make it out safe too.

If you fear a vehicle is following you, or your life is in danger; calm down and think with positivity. Consider your options wisely and resort to your local police station if everything else fails.

Conclusion

Personal safety is the top priority for both men and women. Perhaps, no one is more vulnerable than a woman driving alone at night on an unsafe road.

Learn to troubleshoot problems with your car and always carry pepper sprays or stun guns with you. Always keep your valuables hidden, and stay vigilant; especially if you’re alone on the road.

But above all, never give in to panic and lose hope. When all else fails, flee to a more public space. And never hesitate to call the cops. We can surely put an end to female violence if we all come together.