Every weekday morning my daughter gets into her vehicle to drive to work. I follow her outside, give her a peck on the cheek and say the same things:

"Drive safely. Lock your doors. Put your handbag on the floor." Every morning we follow this ritual. I know this annoys her somewhat because of the repetition but I do it out of concern for her.

I follow the same routine with my wife - drive safe, lock doors, handbag on the floor. In fact, I tell all the women I care about to do the same thing. In order, here is why:

1. "Drive safely" - well, I believe that if I say this often enough then it has a sub-conscious effect. The positive message is re-inforced time after time. This is distinctly different to saying: "Don't have a crash!" That makes the recipient focus on the word "crash," which is negative. So I do not implant the word "crash" into their psyche. The drive safe message makes the mind focus on safe driving, which is positive.

2. "Lock your doors" - this, to me, is just being smart. However, in my travels I am amazed at how many lone female drivers will sit inside an unlocked vehicle. They still have not learned that it is very dangerous to do this. Red traffic lights, stop signs and give way signs are the most dangerous places. These are the places where a thug can enter the vehicle suddenly and without warning.

3. "Handbag on the floor" - at first this might seem strange - until you understand why. Where does every woman place her handbag or purse when she gets into the driver's seat of a motor vehicle? On the passenger seat, of course! This can then be seen and targeted by those who would quickly smash a window to remove it while the vehicle is stationary. They do not care if the lone female driver is terrorized. And who will stop to confront such a brazen attacker, especially if he or she uses an iron bar to smash the window? Would you?

Thugs and thieves and occasional opportunists are becoming bolder and bolder as their desperation levels increase. Much of this is brought about by the desperation caused by illegal mind-altering substances. The increased cravings by the addicts makes them more brazen. So, their tactics are becoming bolder and bolder.

Attacks of these types are becoming more frequent. Another reason is the fact that motor vehicle alarms and immobilisers are now so much more difficult to crack. Therefore, a desperate person who wants to steal a vehicle has a better opportunity if he or she can actually "hijack" one that already has the ignition key in place. That is, some poor unfortunate person (usually a woman or an elderly person) will be singled out for this type of attack.

Many incidents have been reported where people, mainly women and elderly folk, have been dragged out of the drivers' seats while their vehicles are stationary. They are flung onto the road, often injured and in danger of being hit by other motorists.

Please pass this warning on to all of your female relatives and friends. Tell them: Drive safe; lock doors; handbag off the seat.

By taking these simple precautions they will be protecting themselves from injury, theft, the cost of replacing or repairing a damaged vehicle and the inconvenience of canceling credit cards, keys and personal information. However, the biggest advantage will be the fact that they will not have to endure the fear and ongoing trauma of such an event.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Warn them.

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This article comes with reprint rights providing no changes are made and the resource box below accompanies it.

Gary Simpson

Gary Simpson lives in Perth, Western Australia.

His passions are writing (of course), reading, karate, body building, investment and growing tropical palms.

His website is devoted to helping people achieve greater success and self esteem through personal development.

Gary is a regular contributor to numerous magazines and newspapers. His articles and short stories appear in many forums. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, they are now being shared worldwide.

He has written eight books:

LARGE VOLUMES:

- "Journey,Life and Destiny" - personal development (2 vols)

- "How to Save $1000's and Increase Your Personal Net Wealth"

- "Brain Training - Affirmations to Strengthen Mind and Body"

- "Strike Back 1" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

- "Strike Back 2" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

SHORT VOLUMES:

- "The Power of Choice" (FREE e-book) - a popular story about a man looking back on his achievements from the hereafter. It is a poignant story that has received accolades from all over the world - from Iceland to Canada to Great Britain to Morocco to New Zealand to the Czech Republic to the USA - and dozens of countries in between.

The Power of Choice is a free resource and can be downloaded directly from Gary's website.

- "Using Motivation and Self Esteem to Excel in Everything You Do" (FREE e-book) - valuable resource to introduce newcomers to the wonders of personal development. This book is available on request. You can secure your copy by leaving your name and email address (no "hotmail" addresses accepted) at his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website.

Gary's unique approach has been shaped by his 35 year pursuit of karate and his 15 year study of the principles of motivation. He has two personal mottos. These are:

"Excellence of Execution."

and

"Imagination is Infinite."

You can learn a great deal about all matters regarding motivation and self esteem at his website. You will find articles, interviews with achievers, motivational messages and other material. You can even opt to receive free material by visiting the "zenspiration" page.

The Motivation and Self Esteem for Success website was constructed by Linda Caroll who Gary has called the "Kyoshi of Website Design" (In karate terminology Kyoshi means "Polished Master"). Visit Gary's website to see for yourself.