Have you even been in a car accident? If so, you probably did not leave the house planning to have an automobile accident that day. That is how violence erupts into our lives. It is spontaneous, unexpected and quick. No crime victim ever thought they would become a victim on the dreadful day they became one.
We don’t like to think about it. But crime and violence rears its ugly head daily through our media outlets. When we consider the most horrific of these cases, who, at one time or another, has not asked themselves;
*“I wonder what that must have been like for the victim.”
*“If that was me, how would I have reacted?”
*“What could I have done to avoid that situation?”
According to the 2005 statistics released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey, United States residents age 12 or older experienced approximately 23 million crimes. This figure includes all categories of crime.
Therefore, you have approximately an 8% chance of being a victim of crime in a country of approximately 300 million people.
The trick, of course, is to stay out of that 8% category. How does the average citizen prepare for this? Unfortunately, many people don’t give it much thought, or do not know what they should do. Additionally, Americans are experts at denial. If you need proof just look at the amount of debt most Americans carry, or the national debt.
Using a more practical example, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reports there were 38,588 fatal crashes in 2006. Looking into these statistics more closely;
*22,830 of the victims were drivers.
*9,156 were passengers.
*4,810 were motorcycle riders.
*106 are categorized as unknown.
*Of the total fatal crashes 13,723 occurred between the hours of 9:00pm and 6:00am.
*68% of these crashes were at speeds of 45mph or greater. As speed increases, so does the risk of a fatality in a crash.
*Almost 75% of these crashes were on 2-lane roads, the bulk of them on undivided roads.
*In terms of alcohol: 49% of single vehicle fatal crashes were alcohol related.
*In terms of alcohol: 30% of multiple vehicle fatal crashes were alcohol related. Within this category, 68% were between the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am.
*Seatbelts save approximately 13,000 lives in the United States each year. An additional 7,000 fatalities could have been avoided had the victims been wearing seat belts. Total fatalities could drop by approximately 18%, if these victims had been wearing seatbelts.
*By all estimates, wearing seatbelts reduce the risk of death for a front seat vehicle occupant by 50%.
Using these statistics can be helpful in reducing the personal risk of becoming the victim of a fatal crash.
Recommendations based on available data:
1. Wear a seatbelt.
2. Do not drink and drive.
3. To minimize alcohol related fatal crashes, minimize vehicle travel between the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am.
4. To reduce all fatal crash risk, minimize vehicle travel between the hours of 9:00pm and 6:00am.
5. As much as is practical avoid two-lane, undivided roads.
6. Drive at slower speeds.
Look at the statistical facts. How much risk has been reduced by using these strategies?
We can use the same type of methodology in reducing the risk of becoming a crime victim. Perception is most peoples reality. However, perception may be far removed from reality. This is why the effort of considerable research into crime trends, criminal traits and real-life violence characteristics are valuable. As a result, we are able to recognize valid and reliable conclusions that will effectively reduce daily risk, rather than making faulty assumptions based on faulty perception. It is the Science of Safety.
Avoiding victimization is a thinking persons game. Reducing the risk of becoming a victim of crime does not require the average person to become a black belt in martial arts, a sharpshooter or a skilled weapons artist. The primary consideration in crime victimization is how you take in and process the world around you. Unfortunately, many people walk around somewhat self-absorbed in their own little bubble. By doing so, they miss important environmental and behavioral clues that are available to make good cognitive decisions regarding their safety.
Being aware of these clues and processing that information appropriately is much more significant to your safety than being adept at motor skills training (self-defense). Preparation through proper training and learning what it is we should be paying attention to can reduce the daily risk we all face. Here are some simple precautions to take into your daily life:
1. Having someone else with you reduces the risk of personal violence by up to 80%.
2. Having a third person with you reduces the risk of personal violence by up to 90%.
3. Learn to say no, emphatically, to a stranger who approaches you, regardless of their story.
4. Be aware of your surroundings. If you need help, you choose whom you will ask. You are far less likely to randomly pick a person wanting to do you harm, than waiting for someone to approach you.
5. In public areas, look around your vehicle as you approach it. Look into your vehicle before you get into it. When out at night, park in a well-lighted area.
6. When at home, park in the garage if you own one. Scan the garage before you close the garage door. Although not a common tactic, assailants will wait in hiding and enter through an open garage door.
7. If you own a cell phone and feel you might be in a place that puts you at risk, have it pre-dialed to 911 or the local police telephone number. Then if you do need to call for help, just push the call button.
8. If you are approached, do not let a stranger come within two-arm’s length of you. Assailants must control victims in order to successfully complete their crimes. If the assailant cannot grab, hit, stab or kick you – their ability to control you is greatly reduced.
9. Never, ever, allow yourself to be taken to a secondary location should you be confronted by a potential assailant. Assailants look for privacy to successfully victimize people, and sometimes that involves taking the victim to a secondary location. Fight where you stand! Statistically, you are far better off than being taken to a secondary location.
Much like the example we used in fatal car crashes, these recommendations are a result of studying solid research in the areas of crime victimization, criminal behavior and characteristics of specific crimes.
I encourage you to work towards turning these suggestions into habits. Habit strength does not take long to build, nor does it require extraordinary effort for them to become second nature. Incorporating some of these basic principles into your life will effectively reduce your risk of becoming a crime victim, and the next time you hear one of those horrible stories – you will see it in a completely different light.
© 2008 Terry Hipp
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