Defensive Driving and Situational Awareness Tips to Prevent Carjacking, Road Rage and Assaults 

Question for Viewers: What are some more situational awareness tips that you can use day-to-day without being obsessed with self defense?

In the US you can prevent car theft by driving a manual car...

When youre getting Carjacked, just let them take the car. Then as soon as they start getting into the car, you carjack them 👉👉

It really frustrates me when you tell someone to do certain things to help lower the risk of being attacked and they call it victim blaming. No one is saying that you're at fault for being attacked, but you have to realise there are nasty people out there who will do things no matter how good society is, and no amount of 'people need to educate themselves' will stop them attacking you in that moment. It's just a matter of life, and you can be prepared and accept things as they are, or walk around pretending they are as they ought to be 'I ought to be able to be completely distracted on my phone down this dark street while completely wasted!' and get unlucky.

Some really great advice in this video 👍

I was attacked by several men during a road rage incident. They were the ragers looking for trouble. The men were kicking, punching the car windows and screaming. Though I was armed and very dangerous at the time...I simply drove off to the local cop shop. They declined my invitation to venture inside...road rage is so dumb. Good vid.

In South Africa they’ll use a glow plug or shovel to brake your window at an intersection and then force you out with a weapon. There’s high levels of unemployment so people standing next to the street isn’t uncommon.

Eye contact. Especially in gas stations. Dont act like a hard ass. Give em the head nod like you know whats up!

So true The vast majority of people have zero situational awareness Hell sometimes practicing it getst you in an argument Her: why did you stop to look around when I wanted that kiss in the parking lot, are you embarrassed to be seen kissing me? Me: I don't want to get rolled because we stopped for a kiss and I didn't look around 🙄 Protip: you probably shouldn't be involved with people this insecure

Here in Argentina this is a very common thing, they wait in the traffic lights and rob you when you can not move (they can rob 3 o 4 cars in the spand of time that the traffic light gives them) or they bust your windshield to make you stop, slash your tires, put stuff in the road (a motorbike or themselfs, etc) to make you stop, they are 2 o 3 most of the time so you are kind of f*, you are immobile, out numberd and surrounded, they put their bikes infront of the car (and behind if they have 2), you can't even shoot them (getting a gun is to expensive/hard) and if you do .... they are often armed too.... and it's not like ¨ don't go to the bad part of town¨ it can happen everywhere.

Whenever I take a dump, I always take one leg out of my pants in case I am attacked. That what I can jump up and either flee or fight. I’ also wear a cup, 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. I really don’t do either, but those are real “self-defense tips” I’ve received from instructors over the years.

i love how mike lives with self defence in mind for everything. legit a good mentality to have for safety

I was so ready for Jay to drive off and see you chase after him. Would’ve made this clip viral man! Great video as always. Thank you and stay safe.

Best prevention, don't have a car like me, I just walk every where

The word is INTUITION, if you listen to your intuition you tend to stay safe. It’s when you deny or question you intuition that bad, if not tragic things happen.

One time this dude literally almost ran me off the road, so I pulled up next to him and blew him a kiss. He got pissed and threatened to shoot me with his hands, but I was already getting onto the highway and he got stuck on the access road... Yeah, don't do that

I deliver food for a family business, and am also a new driver. I bought a handgun to carry concealed as I tend to have a lot of money on me throughout it the day, and made it a habit to lock my car IMMEDIATELY upon entering. It’s just instinct to me but I’m glad I’m not the only one that thinks about these things. Also if you carry appendix, pulling your shirt from under waist of your seatbelt so it isn’t tucked under is important to keep your handgun easily accessible. Excellent advice in this video!

Hard2hurt, road rage edition!

I swear I've never seen Jay wear anything that covers his lower legs

My dad works at Walmart and he used to work the nightshift and even overnight. When I started working at retail, thankfully not Walmart, he told me to always be careful and if you are given tools, keep them in mind if someone attacks. Especially since we have to park our car in the back of the store or back of the parking lot and I work closing shifts most of the time. Thankfully I work where I need a box cutter on hand so I always keep it on my side in its holster thing on my side, good for opening boxes and as defensive a weapon, either use the plastic blunt end if I don't want get away or if I have to, I can deploy the blade. I am glad I haven't been attacked, but will be grateful I have a tool that can help, and have some basic prior self defense training from my mother who used to do martial arts daily during her college years

I was doing most of the stuff instinctivly

I've watched this video several times and it is good to just refresh your memory about SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. I capslocked that because that is the key here; I for example live in South Africa where poverty is rife and crime rates are high. Here it is worth a group of criminal's time to scope my habits out and actually plan an attack on me even if it is just to take my cell phone. Being AWARE of my SITUATION allows me to know that my phone is worth about 1 to 2 times a month's salary in a middle class job here (easily 10 to 20 times more for a minimum wage earner) so the likelihood of someone being willing to attack me for it increases drastically. In South Africa trained criminals literally take cars apart while people are inside a restaurant having a meal in order to remove vehicle tracking devices and if anyone confronts them during the act they pull out AK-47s and shoot (an actual example of what happened in my small town when these guys were approached by patrolling police). So even though this video and topic is super informative, if you live life where fantasy situations that keyboard warriors make up are closer to reality you better wisen up and get into the habit of being AWARE of your SITUATION in your CONTEXT.

Some great self defense and tactical advice for close protection. Good vid

On April 4th his year I was on my way to work at 5 a.m. I stopped to wait at the Traffic Lights on the approach to Rochester Bridge in the UK. I saw a man approaching my car from the nearside and I instinctively locked the passenger door, the guy reach out to try open it it and I immediately pulled away and had to go through a Red Light to escape. I reported the incident to Crime Stoppers and Kent Police in the interests of Public Duty. I now choose a different route when going to work early in the morning.

Great video Mike.

For someone with social anxiety I can understand people that just kind of power through uncomfortableness. You start to not be able to differentiate between anxiety that should be endured or instincts that should be heeded. Over time I've learned to listen to myself even if I think I'm being ridiculous. When I feel like I'm about to walk into a situation I don't want to be in, what I usually do is "OH I forgot my keys inside! *runs inside*". I find it helps when I'm with someone else too. There's been times where I'm trying to secretly say to my friend that I'm suspicious of someone and they don't get it. It takes up valuable time. This way we get to safety fast and then I can explain. Real life example: Friend and I got off the trolley to a dimly lit station with no one else around and a guy followed us off. I said frantically that I forgot my phone on the trolley and ran back on, my friend following without question. The guy was shocked and he stared at us from the platform as the trolley left with us in it. Maybe he was a normal dude maybe he wasn't, but that was a situation I did not want to be in. Some people don't need an excuse, but for me, this helps me not freeze up in crucial moments like that one.

Hiya. Thank you for this video. Just done some driver training for work as I'm a delivery driver for a big food chain in the uk and this was covered. I got top marks because of the things I learnt from this video

Problem where I live in DC is that you get funneled into single lane streets with cars parked on both sides.

Great, informational and funny video. Tony Blauer goes over some of the pay attention to your feelings bit. Learned the "over the curb" lesson from a fellow student at a seminar years ago. I asked why she specifically needed a vehicle that would be able to go over a curb. "Because I might". Point well taken.

I was once in a situation where I was in my car, stopped at traffic lights. I had a guy walk up out of nowhere and tap on the drivers side window to get my attention. I didn't even see him until I heard the tap on the window. It was very unexpected. I probably shouldn't have but I wound the window down to see what he wanted. He wanted money. I didn't give him any. I was in a vulnerable situation with the window down, him standing next to me while I was seated. The traffic light turned green I just drove off. Nothing happened but it did make the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

I am always the most on guard while im loading in a full cart of groceries. I live in Vegas where everything is sketchy as fuck.

Sir you're awesome. I need a teacher/school like yours around here!

People like this should be overwhelmed with high schools etc to give lectures. I'm 55, and remember visitations to my h.s. about drug abuse.

You are saving lives I hope people are listening

These are great videos. I talk about a lot of the same things when I talk to people about situational awareness. One point on the sprinter is that you should be alert enough to hear them beating feet to close that distance. Too many people have their phones attached to their heads or hands. Its interesting the way you put the left lane thing. I've always done it but never really thought about why.

I feel the most exposed when helping my toddler in and out of the car seat. What can I do to minimize my exposure?

Great topic of discussion. One thing I'd like to see as another scenario is when getting kids in the vehicle. I always feel most vulnerable when buckling my 3yr old in the car seat. I park where I can see my surroundings and constantly look around in between latches, but inevitably I am exposed for a few seconds.

“Situational awareness” *Doesn’t signal intent while changing lanes*

Nice, I can use this as a discussion topic in our next toolbox meeting

Could you do a video on staying safe during a riot ?

I really like this kind of vids! yeah, some of it feels like victim blaming, but I feel that you have to learn to live in this world, it is not your fault if someone hurts you, but you also should do everything in your power to prevent/stop it.... now I feel like i'm just repeating what you said haha

Love that you bought the car based on self defense, you truly are insane

Going to drill getting in my car fast and sharp. Locking it down too. 👍

How about motorcycle drivers, they can be under assault easier than car drivers. You got any tips for that? Also great vid

I’m here because I live in Milwaukee. I drive a small technician van. One of our guys was murdered sitting in his car, no car jacking involved, he was simply murdered for no reason. So needless to say my biggest go to is KEEP MOVING. I’m not trained, but it seems like common sense. Just keep moving. I watch people’s hands. I am cautious with cars directly next to me or coming next to me. I scan left to right. And I never, NEVER stop too close to the car in front of me. I ALWAYS leave a large enough gap for maneuvering if I need to get out of there. I was once almost car jacked and pulling a knife warded off the guy pretty quick. Knife draws IMO are quicker than gun draws. And a knife is meant to create distance in order to draw your gun.

The school I went to didn’t allow students to back into the parking spaces. Anywhere else, I would back into the parking space.

"No one's attacking moving vehicles" Haha shoutout from GTA 6: 2022 New Orleans

0:22 i like the new colors, it's more vibrant, matches the personality of the channel well

If I'm in a drive thru I always keep the car as close to the wall possible, if possible. Makes it harder to get to the drive side because of a smaller gap between the car and wall.

Great vid

Good video

Backing in is a much safer way to park. Not just for personal security but for collision prevention. People are rarely in a hurry when they arrive some place but they are often in a hurry when they leave. When you are backing into a space there is almost never a car coming directly at you from behind. If you back into a parking aisle there is often a car coming directly at you.

Spider senses

Great video. What about selecting a specific parking space or gas pump. Also, what to do if someone sketchy approaches at gas pump or while getting in car.

I had a guy try to get into my car at a 4 war way stop late at night. He was either high or drunk he said "unlock the door" because I had reached over and locked it when when he walked twords my vehicle. I said no and drove off, the surprise look on his face was really interesting. It's like he thought we were best friends and I had promised to give him a ride home and instead I drove off leaving him at the gas station. I live in a really low crime area and was driving a old beater 73 Jeep, it's not like I'm driving a Ferrari and like a easy payday

Been in 3 attempted car jackings. I got out of all 3 because I do all of these, had to kill one guy though. He ran up while I was at a stop light and I had a car on the side and one in the front. Saw him coming but had nowhere to go.

Grew up in Miami. This is a daily briefing there.

“Why do you always back in?” *references this video* 🚗💨💨💨💨 EXACTLY

Had a dude just illegally turn out of a roundabout, FURY painted on his face, following me in traffic, aggressively. Knowing my exit was coming up, I thought "maybe not let this guy tail me directly my home which incidentally is at a dead end for cars with zero escape routes, leaving me cornered". So I just kept driving past, him honking and blinking and shouting in his car and all that fun stuff behind me, until he just took an exit and went away. I cruised about 20 more minutes before going back on path, just to be sure.

I don’t know if this counts. I was learning how to drive at age 35 being taught by my wife. I’ll tell that story another time. My wife freaked at my lack of ability and would only allow me to drive ONCE around the block twice a month for my road practice An insane neighbour whose hobby was street fighting opened back door jumped in back seat,you can drop me at the subway. Halfway through my 1 city block of practice crazy neighbour yelled at me that I was an idiot. I feel guilty that I didn’t explain about my LIMITED driving skills

I think Mike just wants people to leave the parking lot faster, so he can get a spot without circling around :)

*YOU SEE MY OLD SCHOOL 4WHEEL DRIVE DENALI. BACKED IN THE PARKING LOT. LESSONS TO BE MENTIONED ALSO. MOMENTS BEFORE PARKING REMOVE YOUR SEATBELT WHILE IN MOTION( EXAMPLE : YOU TURN INTO WALMART PARKING LOT REMOVE SEATBELT SOON AS LEAVING THE MAIN ROAD, OR PUT ON SEATBELT BEFORE GETTING BACK ONTO MAIN ROAD). IF SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE PARKING LOT ANYWHERE , YOU DON'T WANT YOUR SEATBELT HANDCUFFING YOU INTO YOUR SELT. HAVE A CONCEAL CARRY LICENSE AND CARRY A HANDGUN ALWAYS ( IF YOU CAN DO SO). IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE EYEING YOU DOWN , DRAW/ OR READY TO DRAW YOUR PISTOL ASAP, SO POSSIBLE GET OUT OF DODGE ( AT THE SAME TIME YOU STILL HAVE FIREARM READY FOR JUST IN CASE). " READY" MEANS SHIRT MOVED SO PISTOL IS IN A OPEN CARRY FASHION ( THIS WORKS BETTER IF YOU APPENDIX CARRY WHEN DRIVING A CAR/TRUCK). THERE ARE A FEW MORE TIPS I COULD MENTION, BUT I WON'T.*

I'd love to get your take on canes and hiking staves for self defense. Are stick weapons viable? Or overrated?

I like this video but just want to say it is absolutely possible to be attacked while driving. Road ragers with guns who use them to shoot at people in moving cars is becoming more and more common place. It is definitely helpful to be a good defensive driver and have situational awareness while driving. I would add that if someone ever starts following you, glance in your mirror occasionally to keep an eye on them. I was once followed by someone who cut me off and nearly caused an accident on a busy street. Shortly after, I managed to change lanes and get ahead of him but he started following me so closely after a turn they nearly rear ended me when I needed to stop for an animal in the street. I looked up then and watched as he leaned over their seats and got something out of their glove compartment box. He pulled up next to me, on my right, in my lane at a stop sign. I didn’t take any chances or wait a second, I turned left although I had had my right turn signal on. They immediately followed me through the intersection. I had to speed a bit to get away and managed to go down an alley and back through a bunch of side streets to a busy street until I was sure I wasn’t being followed anymore. It was terrifying. I have no doubt in my mind where that was going to go and I still don’t even know why. I didn’t even react when they cut me off, aside from slamming on my brakes. I just know I’m not going to let someone else’s bad day ruin my life.

You should try this in Los Angeles downtown.

Here's another, if you're in a bad area you can roll stop... don't sit at a red light for 5 minutes at 2am in a bad area, you can run the red light. Technically illegal but I'm alive. Tbh if you see a police officer in a bad area he'll probably escort u out back to the highway.

Reverse parking not necessarily best. Forward parking allows you to have towball (very strong on some vehicles) where it can be used as a battering ram and keeps radiator safe in that sort of collision - especially if they try to block you in. Also places steering wheels where tightest turns is possible.

Even if you're a big tough guy you're vulnerable getting into your car. I tell people to get the store manager to send someone out with you to your car in it's a sketchy neighborhood, at night or whatever reduces you safety, and have them go with you to stand there while you load up and get in. Don't think, 'oh, I'm a big guy it's embarrassing to ask for a helper at 11pm, I'll just take a chance'. No way you can safely get into a car by yourself if you're targeted by an experienced predator no matter how tough you are.

Can you make a video diving deeper into vehicle selection

I feel like the term 'victim blaming' was over used almost immediately. Getting attacked isn't always the victims fault but there are times when you here someones story and you can't help but wonder what they were thinking. I knew a guy who got out of his car, realized he left the keys in the seat with the doors unlocked. He was suprised when he came out and found his car missing.

Thank you Mike for being the only person I have seen on youtube mention the proper distance from a vehicle in front of you. You need to have an out. People bring up other cars, but you can get a lot of momentum built and force your way through a gap if all you need to do is cock the wheel a little and gun it. Yes your paint is fucked, and Karen in the next lane is going to be big mad about her Town and Country needing 5k worth of body work. When you gotta go, you gotta go though.

It all is common sense but sometimes you need to hear someone else explain it to let it click! Good advice!

To make yourself more situational aware, pick something out in your peripheral vision without focusing on it, try to describe it to yourself. Then look and focus on it. This will make the "I saw him out of the corner of my eye" more detailed.

Mike, I didn't believe you when you said it's common to fuck around with devices before you start your car. It's just something that never occurred to me. But one day, I'm waiting for someone at a carpark, and there I see a woman get in her car and sit there on her phone for about five or ten minutes. I was waiting for someone and we managed to leave before she did. It's crazy.

4:33 Donut Operator would like a word with you about that.

In this parking scenario at the mall, backing in to park automatically gives your back ( as you exit or enter the vehicle) to any assailant or attacker standing at the store fronts. Even if you feel secure driving up, when you back in you take your eyes off the scene for at least 10-15 seconds while you park. Driving in means you never take your eyes off the store fronts, and those hanging around them. Your car door also provides as barrier against any rushing attack designed to force you back in to your vehicle. I always try to approach my vehicle from the passenger side, walking behind the vehicle to get to the drivers door, or if that is not possible, walk past the front of my car, around the back and in to the car. This means you never show your back when the car door is opened and you can better gauge peoples reactions to your presence.

Mike can you recomend any books in security (home ,perimeter,vehicle etc)

Another reason to back into a spot: If you need to be jump started or towed, it’s easier access for both.

DAMN THEM TINTS DARK DARK! LOL

Icy Mike: hard 2 park Honestly, though, Mike has made me think more about backing in

Any tips on Parallel parking dangers to car jacking?

2:42 it's 1 car space for every 10mph or just in general 1 car space where I live.

For the example of the person being robbed which you mentioned around 1:15. That kind of behavior on the assailant's part is actually a selection method. The same sort of thing is seen in email scams. Email scams will intentionally use poor language and weak logic to screen out the people who won't fall for the scam. A criminal being obviously suspicious is the same thing, if the potential victim doesn't react to the obviously suspicious scenario, they are more likely to be untrained and unprepared. I had a similar experience where I came out of a store into a mostly empty parking lot to find someone leaning against my jeep and subtly trying the door handle. I'd just bought a 2 foot long steel breaker bar, so I pulled the bar out of the bag and while maintaining my distance agressively asked the person what the fuck they were doing. They apologised profusely mumbled some bullshit excuse and ran away. A week later I saw that person on the local news, arrested for mugging someone in a parking lot near where I encountered them. As far as the driving stuff, I actually do much of the same things, with kind of the same intentions, I'm always looking for a clean exit path. For me, this doesn't have anything to do with defending against attackers. I'm a motorcycle rider, and those driving behaviors and general sense of awareness are to compensate for other drivers lack of awareness of motorcycles. I've had times where I've had to suddenly dodge out to the side of the road to prevent being rear ended, or been pushed out of a turn lane by an inattentive driver in the intersection. The parking logic I found interesting, and I kind of take the opposite approach. I figure backing out and reversing direction is only a tiny bit of added time. But if I'm being blocked in, by another vehicle or a person with a weapon, the chances of damage disabling my vehicle and preventing my escape is much lower for the rear end; I don't risk my radiator, serpentine belt, engine electrical, windshield, or steering. And since I'm driving a 4wd vehicle with a shift-on-the-fly transfer case, I can quickly switch to four wheel and mitigate the effects of damage to the rear wheels or drive train.

How about a video addressing being an older person with a cane. I can be slower than I like getting in a car with my body problems and dealing with a purse and a cane.

In Chicago people shoot on the highway ..so here ..never ride right along someone to either side

be sure you can see the tail lights of the car in front of you

Your TARDIS is broken; it's a Jeep on the outside and a Hummer on the inside. I will fix it for you, but I'll need that dirty boxing seminar.

Another tip. If you're going to the gas station BY YOURSELF, always turn off the car and take your keys and at least lock the passenger side door. We all know why just wanted to say it. If with someone make sure THEY lock their passenger side door and the other doors of the car as well. People with bad intent like to slide in on the far side.

Living here in Austria in my forest town (without exploding trees!): Car jacking is widely unknown in Europe. (I don't want to make this a Europe vs US thing. It's just a general information). Is it that common in the US? I heard it it's popular in third world countries but it's pretty much a total non-issue here.

Come to Argentina. They make carjacking looks really easy

What you said about getting assaulted and people having a feeling reminded me my first time getting mugged. I spoted the 2 guys wearing all blue thought to myself crip wanabes... saw them follow me for a long time, decided to bum them a smoke thinking if there going to mug me ill just fight them. They told me to empty my pockets i said no and just froze and didnt so shit ended up on my ass getting my head stomped in !!!

This video is especially great right now. If your car gets surrounded by miscreants you should have the legal right to escape by any means necessary, that said why the fuck are there dude? Lots of people landing themselves in hot water and while I don’t think you should have to sit in a mob and get beaten and robbed, you should avoid those mobs. I know you said this is about single attacker but the advice of “don’t go where trouble is not looking for it” is pretty solid in all situations.

People comment on why these two back into a spot? That's how you frikken drive!!!!!

Be an adult... Hahaha!!! Good stuff boys, good stuff.

I love you Mike, but I have to admit I got a chuckle out of you mentioning how much you're into personal responsibility when your personal vehicle might as well be a tractor trailer in terms of fuel efficiency.

damn y'all out here making me more paranoid lmaoo

attention buys you time, and time buys you options

It's a little shockingly on-the-nose how similar your talking/explaining style, vocal pitch and mannerisms are to the guy on the "Unboxing Therapy" channel. I spent about four videos worth of watching your content before I could figure out where I had heard this voice before. lol

I drive a Jeep Wrangler because, even though the mileage is poor, I can drive in any direction and over most anything I want :-)

I had someone attack me in shotgun side while I was driving around 20 mph in a small car it was terrifying !