Crimes related to vehicles still very high

What the stats say about crime on the roads - October to December 2024 (see infographic)

4 807 carjackings were recorded – a year-on-year decrease of 19.5%
On average 52 cars are hijacked each day
There were 7 791 vehicle thefts – a decrease of 18.3%
Hijacking of trucks decreased by 14%
Theft out of or from vehicles declined by 12.9%
There were 17 fewer cash-in-transit heists
Drunk driving increased by 11.2%
Road rage is in the top five for most common causes of violent crime
Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal were the top 3 provinces for vehicle crime
Carjackings account for 56% of all vehicle crime (Tracker Crime Index)
Theft accounts for 44% of vehicle crime (Tracker Crime Index)
More vehicles are hijacked on Fridays and between 16:00 and 21:00 (Tracker Crime Index)
Theft is mainly reported on Saturdays, also between 16:00 and 21:00 (Tracker Crime Index)
Business-owned vehicles are twice as likely to be hijacked (Tracker Crime Index)
In Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal more personal vehicles are stolen than hijacked, at 52% and 61%, respectively.
Car jamming is one of the most prevalent crimes at shopping malls (Fidelity)
During 2024, follow-home attacks were on the rise (Fidelity)

MasterDrive's recommendations on reducing the risk:

Avoid dimly lit or isolated parking spots
Reverse park so that exiting the parking space can be done faster and with a clearer visual field
Ideally, it is safest to park against the wall and near a security presence
Have your keys or fob in hand and put parcels in the boot without scratching through them or your bag
Return home before dark whenever possible
Stay alert and always observe your surroundings
Stand in well-lit and populated areas when using e-hailing services and keep your phone out of sight
Report all incidents to assist law enforcement track crime patterns
Physically check your car door before walking away
Stand in front of the door handle when locking the door to potentially block jammers especially if your keyless entry inhibits double checking the doors
When placing your shopping in your boot, be aware of people around you who may be watching
Lock laptops, bags and other valuables in the boot when exiting the vehicle
Purchase a case for your key fob that prevents criminals from cloning it