Don’t Stop Your Car – Even for a Baby!

There are times when it can be a useful defense mechanism to roll over and play dead.  These ’fainting goats’ are funny to watch…

However, when it comes to real-life danger playing dead may be the worst thing to do.  The goats are not in serious danger here.  Apparently, this particular breed has a genetic disorder that causes their muscles to freeze when startled. 

Now that we have your attention… Let’s switch to a more serious topic - because this post is not actually about goats…

Some emails that circulate on the internet are worth reading and passing along, others are not.  Whether or not the following has actually happened we don’t know, but we just received this one and the advice seems worth spreading.  We live in strange times, with potential dangers everywhere, and criminals will stop at nothing when looking for new ways to prey on the unwary.

Child Car Seat on side of road – Women are the main targets here – as this ploy appeals to maternal and protective instincts. If you notice what appears to be a child or baby car seat on the side of the road, with a blanket over it and possibly a doll or fake baby inside – don’t stop!  The location will usually be a rural road, close to woodland, where criminal gangs lie in wait… 

Obviously, you should NEVER stop despite your natural instincts – and this advice probably applies to many other scenarios.  Instead of stopping, call the closest Police station and report what you have seen.   Thieves and criminal gangs use all sorts of tactics to get you to leave your vehicle.  An unsuspecting woman who stops to check on the ‘baby’ may be dragged into the woods and robbed, and possibly raped, beaten, and left to die.  

Do Not Stop for Any reason.  Do not even slow down!!  Dial 999 in the UK, or the emergency number in your country (112 is the new Europe-wide number). 

Raw Eggs Thrown at Windshield – Another tactic used by criminals involves throwing raw eggs at your windshield.  It would be worse at night, but could happen any time of the day.  This is very important to know: Do not operate the wipers or spray your screen with screen washer as this will only make it worse.  Once the eggs mix with water and you turn on the wipers it will smear your screen with a milky goo, making vision almost impossible and forcing you to stop and get out to clean it.  This is what the criminals hope for, of course, and once you are out of the car they make their move…

Crimes of this type could happen anywhere in the world.  The best we can do is to be cautious, aware of potential dangers, and especially vigilant out there on the roads.  Once you are out of your car fainting or playing dead is not going to help!

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