Safety Tips from the BMW Performance Center
13 September 2000
WORKING LATE AGAIN? SAFETY TIPS FOR GETTING INTO YOUR CAR AND HOME SAFELY WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., September 13, 2000... It's another late night at the office and you're finally heading out to the parking lot or garage to make the long trek home, but how safe do you feel? The BMW Performance Center has developed a list of top personal safety tips for taking precaution when approaching and getting into your car as well as staying alert to your surroundings. These tips are just part of the important safety information shared during BMW's Women-Only Driving Classes, offered several times throughout the year in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Incorporating these helpful habits into your daily routine, in addition to just being aware of your surroundings, will make you feel less vulnerable and more in control of a situation: 1. Be Ready: Have your key in your hand when going to your car. If you carry a cell phone, pre-dial 911 before heading to your car. Carry a whistle, which has proven to be more effective than pepper spray. 2. Inspect the Interior of Your Car Before Entering: Look around and under your car. Check all tires for any flats, look inside all windows. Most lock remotes today have an interior light feature. -more- Page Two/BMW Safety Tips 3. Trust Your Instincts If You Become Uncomfortable: If you've been followed, or there is someone hiding on the other side of your car, quickly turn around and go back into the building for help. 4. Car Alarms: If something does not look right, hold down the "lock car" or "panic" button on lock remote for car alarm to go off. If you feel you are in trouble once in your car, press down the "lock car" button while inside to set off alarm or use your horn. 5. What to do in Event of a Flat Tire: If you see a flat tire on your car, head back into the building and get help. It may have been a set-up and flattened intentionally by someone waiting nearby for a possible assault. 6. Once in Your Car: Drive with your car doors locked. Keep windows rolled up whenever possible and stay alert at stoplights. 7. You Think You're Being Followed: If you are being followed in your car, don't drive home. Go to the nearest place of safety that is well lit where you can contact the police. Try to obtain a good description of the vehicle. 8. If You Are Bumped From Behind or Minor Accident: Don't get out of the car unless you are in a public area. These incidents can be caused by thieves that will wait for you to get out to inspect your vehicle and then they will hop in and drive your car away. If you are on an isolated road and this happens, call 911 immediately. If you do not have a cell phone continue driving to a public area. If the accident is real, they will follow. In either case, try to get license plate and description of car and occupants. 9. How to Make an Emergency Call/What Information to Give: Provide as many facts as you can about your situation. Describe what is happening, your location, the people around you or model of the car that is following you. 10. Letting Someone Know of Your Route and Arrival Times: Call someone and let them know when to expect you. If your trip home involves several stops, let them know of your exact sequence of trips. -more- Page Three/BMW Safety Tips 11. Parking: Park in areas that are well lit. Always remember to lock the car. The BMW Performance Center Driving School expands the unique automotive experience BMW offers in upstate South Carolina. At one location, a visitor can tour a $1.3 billion state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, browse the Zentrum museum showcasing more than 75 years of BMW automotive and motorcycle history, and take delivery of a new BMW, in addition to the driving school. More information on the BMW Performance Center Driving School is available through the Performance Center's toll free number, 888-345-4BMW (4269). BMW IN AMERICA BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United States; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Palo Alto and various other operations throughout the country. BMW is represented in the U.S. through a network of more than 340 car, 315 Sports Activity Vehicle and 160 motorcycle retailers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the World Wide Web on the BMW homepage. The address is: http://www.bmwusa.com. # # # Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address - www.press.bmwgroup.com. # # #