3 Things to Consider if Caught in a Vehicle-Ramming Attack

Given how distracted drivers can be, I have always stood back from the edge of the curb, knowing a vehicle could accidentally drive onto the sidewalk and run me down.

In today’s world, unfortunately, this is done on purpose, in what have become known as ‘vehicle-ramming attacks’ that we see abroad, but now also in the United States and Canada.

So what can we do?

Situational awareness is key, but it is important to remember there is no reason to live in a state of fear over these very low-probability events. You are far better off remaining relaxed, yet observant, as you go about your business, with some knowledge of what to be aware of, and what you would do if such an attack took place.

Remember, for the most part, this form of attack is carried out where there are  lots of people to achieve the most harm, also known as a ‘target rich environment.’ Therefore, if there is a vehicle-ramming  while at a concert or farmers market etc, be ready to move away from the most crowded locations which the perpetrators are drawn to.

Environment:

Regardless of where you are, ask yourself: if a vehicle-ramming was in progress or looked imminent, what structure is nearby that I could take cover behind? This could be a pillar, a tree, heavy planter boxes, or even just stepping into a store, lobby, or alcove.

Security and protective design has also been implemented. Many buildings have bollards as seen in the photo above. These sturdy posts are placed strategically, so a vehicle cannot get close to a building. Be aware of these and large concrete blocks and footers placed for the same reason.

Opening distance may also be an option if there is still time.

If you can, it is always best to get as far away as possible from the incident, in case the situation includes an explosive device or an armed driver and accomplice. Alert others, but do not let indecisive people slow you down.

Keep in mind, a larger ramming vehicle can push a car you are hiding in front of or behind over you and therefore is not good cover. Also be aware of seeking cover that could leave you trapped like a service road between buildings or similar alleys that have dead ends.

Special Senses: 

As you go about your day, keep an ear and eye out. It is counter intuitive to hear or see a vehicle speeding up in an area where all others are slowing down.

Often, larger vehicles are rented for their mass and ability to do damage, and the driver may not be familiar with operating this vehicle. As a result, keep an eye out for a such a vehicle being driven poorly or bumping into parked cars as it progresses. If you hear a series of impact sounds, this may be that vehicle progressing toward your area, as it scrapes past parked cars and other structures.

Having said this, keep in mind, this attack may involve an ordinary car, as we saw in Charlottesville. Don’t always assume a fast-moving car is a police vehicle. Be sure to remain alert.

If you see a vehicle weaving and driving, including up onto the curb, again, seek cover.

If the incident turns out to be an accident or something non-malicious, there is no harm in a false alarm.

Always trust your instincts. If you get a bad “vibe” about your environment, move to another, or open distance. The military trains soldiers to be in tune with the “atmospherics” of their surroundings and to honor intuition. We should too.

Being Proactive versus Reactive:

Having your action plan for this rare “What if?” scenario in your back pocket does not make you paranoid. It leaves you prepared.

Personal safety is key. Preparedness and awareness are two very intuitive, powerful, and protective tools.

Skeptical about such vehicle attacks?

Here is a timeline of some recent attacks, all of which affected individuals who were not expecting an act of violence to occur.

• May 21, 2018 - A man seats his family at restaurant then goes outside and drives his vehicle at high speed into the restaurant killing two, including a member of his family.

• April 23, 2018 - At least 10 people were killed and 15 injured when a man drove a van through pedestrians walking on a crowded Toronto street
• April 07, 2018 - A driver plowed into a crowd, turning a vehicle into a lethal weapon. This time, it was in Muenster, Germany, where police said several people were killed and at least a dozen seriously injured Saturday after a delivery truck slammed into people.
• March 22, 2018 - Angry driver kills 1 as he rams into crowd after Houston bars close
• December 14, 2017 – A driver drives into a crowd of protesters in Charlottesville
• December 03, 2017 – A parking dispute is blamed after a car slams into a NYC sidewalk, killing one
• October 31, 2017 - Eight people are killed and almost a dozen injured when a 29-year-old man in a rented pickup truck drives down a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center in New York.
• October 26, 2017 – Man drove his car through a group of immigration marchers in California
• September 30-October 1, 2017 - On September 30 in Edmonton, Canada, a man purposely strikes a police officer with a white Chevrolet Malibu before jumping out of the vehicle, stabbing the officer several times with a knife and fleeing on foot.
• August 16-18, 2017 - At least 13 people are killed and about 100 are injured on August 17th after a van plows through a crowd of people in a popular tourist district in Barcelona, Spain.
• June 19, 2017 - Just after midnight, a van plows into a group of pedestrians who had attended late-night prayers at London’s Finsbury Park Mosque, killing one man and injuring 11 people.

About our guest contributor:  Larry Kaminer

Larry was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa during the turbulence of Apartheid. He has traveled extensively to include Southern Africa, Central America and time spent in Israel. He has dealt with multiple personal threat situations in high risk destinations. He became a lifetime student of personal safety and crime avoidance after surviving several assaults. His sense of personal security were heightened after an attempted home invasion and as a witness to political unrest and rioting during the 1976 Soweto uprisings. Larry’s life experiences allow him to bring a real world civilian perspective to the issue of personal safety. He founded the Personal Safety Training Group in 2006 and is a past member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals.

A version of this posting first appeared on the Personal Safety Training Group Blog in May 2018