You must be acutely aware of your surroundings when you are just exiting your car and when you just get in your car. Your mind is rarely focused on anything but locking the car or taking your stuff out of the trunk.
Lately, I have been practicing checking all around my car when I approach it and locking the door the instant I’m inside and the door closes. For an old dog, this is a new trick and has taken some getting used to, but I’m doing it regularly. If you don’t lock it manually, many doors lock only after the car begins moving. It could be too late by then. Lock the doors immediately after you enter the car.
I always park at the end of the lot where my car is usually not close to other vehicles. This gives me time to scout as I approach my car.
It is far easier to say if Black people are in the area be very wary, every where.
Good idea; when exiting your car, make sure the safety is off on your concealed weapon.
I mostly avoid cities.
Couldn’t pay me enough to live in one.
King Ludd, I feel for you for having to exercise all these precautions just to get out of your car. I really do.
But, I will take this opportunity to remind you and readers that there are thousands of counties in America to live in that have no crime or very little crime. I NEVER think about getting out of my car. We’ve had one murder in ten years and that was some guy who shot his wife after she shot him! I’ve never heard of a car jacking around here or a robbery. We do have a few burglaries.
Best of luck to you and yours!
“..You must be acutely aware of your surroundings when you are just exiting your car and when you just get in your car....”
Good advice.
The wife and I do the same.
Depending on the specific location, who’s close by and other immediate surroundings; we even go so far as making sure that at least one of us has a hand on our weapon for an immediate draw if need be.
There have been a couple of instances that once in the vehicle, at least one weapon was in hand and in Condition 1. We obviously try to avoid those kinds of areas as much as possible, but still, it’s a shame that America has come to a 3rd world shitehole like this.
I too have started locking my car immediately upon entering it after grocery shopping, etc. That’s the time when people are most distracted (especially women it seems). I’m looking at my list on my phone to see if there is something I’m forgetting, or if hubby has called wanting me to pick up something while I’m out. Or, I’m taking off my jacket and organizing some stuff I’ve placed on the passenger seat.
It is times like that when you make yourself most vulnerable to a carjacking.