Safe Night Driving

 

Safely Drive by Night Solo

By MB Sanok

Driving by yourself is exhilarating.  When you have a car and your license, you can leave when you want and venture out to parts unknown or your familiar haunts.  It’s the ultimate in independence and a great respite when you need a break from your family.  Blast your tunes and hit the open road.  But the problem is what to do when you’re a woman alone at night, and you need to park in a dimly lit parking lot.  Just a hint of danger removes the freedom you once savored.  Although it can be scary, it’s a fact of life and one you can live with if you stay aware and stay safe.  Before you throw in your keys and call Uber, take a look at these safety solutions for parking in the dark.

Phone Etiquette

• If you own a cell phone, make sure you program in 911, so it’s easily accessible.  If you do not own one, now’s the time to consider purchasing one.
• Being connected to others is important to most people as evidenced by the popularity of social media.   But don’t let that quest to connect cause you to review your phone while sitting in a dark parking lot.  Check your phone when you’re home unless absolutely necessary like confirming directions.

Parking Wars

• Make sure your car is well-maintained and services are up-to-date.  This will ensure you’re not stuck in a dark parking lot waiting for a tow truck, automobile service or loved one.
• Park as close as you can to the building you want to enter, preferably in a well-lit and well-traveled area.

Lock It Up

• Whenever you’re in your car, always keep your doors locked, even while you’re driving or the vehicle is not in use.  
• Once you enter your car, lock your doors, and do not linger.  After you settle into your seat and turn on the engine, it’s time to leave.
• Make sure you do not leave any valuables in the car like money, jewelry, electronics, etc.  If you need to store them in your car, keep them where a potential thief won’t see them and be encouraged to break in and steal them.  A garage door opener in plain sight presents even graver danger in that the thief could discover where you live from records kept in your car and eventually try to break in to your home.

Check It Out

• Before entering your car, check the undercarriage to ensure no one is hiding there.  Also, check the car floors and backseat for any surprises.
• Be aware of your surroundings and what or who could be lurking in dark corners.  If someone is close to your car and looks menacing and/or strange, go back to the building from which you came and wait for the stranger to leave.
• In general, you should avoid driving in unsafe neighborhoods and/or areas at night, especially when you’re alone.  You never know when your car could break down or a flat tire occurs.  Also, you could be accosted by unsavory characters that could make trouble for you on the road.

Body Movin’

• Use your body language to express that you are confident, strong and not to be messed with.  Stand up straight and arrange your features into a neutral yet brave expression.
• Don’t “dress to impress” if you don’t need to with expensive jewelry, coveted bags, etc.  And don’t carry too much cash, either.  
• Before walking to your car, have your keys ready and packages arranged, so they don’t drop and deter you from quickly reaching your car.
• If at all possible, walk out or in with a crowd of people.  Even if you don’t walk with them, walk close to them.  Being in a group of people may reduce the chance of you being assaulted.

 

 

Author Note: M.B. Sanok is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom. She is a contributing writer for Jersey Moms Blog (http://jerseymomsblog.com/) and her work has also appeared in South Jersey MOM magazine and on MetroKids MomSpeak. In her spare time, she volunteers for the International MOMS Club, a non-profit support group for stay-at-home moms. Her personal blog is Maple Brown Sugar.