Chauffering your homebuyers around in your car is a great time to get to know your client and move the sale along. You have an opportunity to show them the neighborhood, point out schools and services, and more.

But being alone with you in a car is also an opportunity for a predator to strike. Make sure you have taken the necessary precautions ahead of time before you are put in an isolated situation.

You can prevent a predator's interest in you by demonstrating you are safety-conscious. Get proper ID, check references, get your client prequalified, and let your office know where you will be and how long you will be gone at all times. Don't fall for excuses from any client that you should skip such procedures because he is from "out of town and doesn't have much time."

Another thing you can do is never let clients in your car. Choose to bring along a buddy, and have the client follow you from the office in their own car. Once you get to the destination, park on the street in a manner that your car is not blocked in any way in case you need to escape from the home.

What you want to do is to avoid being isolated - that’s when a predator will strike.

But despite your precautions, you might one day find yourself in your car with a predator. What should you do?

A predator may attempt to control you in your car while you are driving. Most people would simply do what they are told and go to the destination to which the predator directs you to, where he feels safe. Law enforcement calls this the "secondary crime scene." This is crucial for you to know about because it is the secondary crime scene where you are most likely to be harmed or killed.

Do not, under any circumstances, allow a predator to take you to another location.

• Stay calm.
• Be familiar with your area so you know where the nearest police station is. Drive the predator there.
• Stay on routes with high traffic and crowds of people.
• As you come to a stop at a light or stop sign, move your car against a parked car where it blocks the predator from opening his door. Stop abruptly, where it throws the predator forward. Unlock your door and climb out of the vehicle as fast as you can.
• Take advantage of any distraction such as the predator watching for police cars or a place he wants to turn. Throw on the brakes, and jump out of the car.
• Create a distraction by driving over curbs, or scraping the predator's side of the car into an embankment. Make him take his eyes off of you so you can slam on the brakes and jump out of the car.
• If no other means presents itself to get away, you can try a high risk maneuver - ram a dumpster, telephone pole, or tree at no more than 30 miles per hour. Your seatbelt and airbags will protect you far better than the isolated location where the predator planned to take you.

Published: June 14, 2002

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Robert L. Siciliano is the author of The Safety Minute, Safety Zone Press, and a professional speaker on the topic of self defense and personal and property protection. He has been featured on CNN, Montel Williams, Sally Jesse, and the Howard Stern radio show. Robert is available to speak to brokers, associations, and to conduct seminars and workshops for industry events. Visit his Web site at www.realtysecurity.com or contact him at robert@realtysecurity.com