Every weekday morning my daughter gets into her vehicle to drive to work. I follow her outside, give her a peck on the cheek and say the same things:

"Drive safely. Lock your doors. Put your handbag on the floor." Every morning we follow this ritual. I know this annoys her somewhat because of the repetition but I do it out of concern for her.

I follow the same routine with my wife - drive safe, lock doors, handbag on the floor. In fact, I tell all the women I care about to do the same thing. In order, here is why:

1. "Drive safely" - well, I believe that if I say this often enough then it has a sub-conscious effect. The positive message is re-inforced time after time. This is distinctly different to saying: "Don"t have a crash!" That makes the recipient focus on the word "crash," which is negative. So I do not implant the word "crash" into their psyche. The drive safe message makes the mind focus on safe driving, which is positive.

2. "Lock your doors" - this, to me, is just being smart. However, in my travels I am amazed at how many lone female drivers will sit inside an unlocked vehicle. They still have not learned that it is very dangerous to do this. Red traffic lights, stop signs and give way signs are the most dangerous places. These are the places where a thug can enter the vehicle suddenly and without warning.

3. "Handbag on the floor" - at first this might seem strange - until you understand why. Where does every woman place her handbag or purse when she gets into the driver"s seat of a motor vehicle? On the passenger seat, of course! This can then be seen and targeted by those who would quickly smash a window to remove it while the vehicle is stationary. They do not care if the lone female driver is terrorized. And who will stop to confront such a brazen attacker, especially if he or she uses an iron bar to smash the window? Would you?

Thugs and thieves and occasional opportunists are becoming bolder and bolder as their desperation levels increase. Much of this is brought about by the desperation caused by illegal mind-altering substances. The increased cravings by the addicts makes them more brazen. So, their tactics are becoming bolder and bolder.

Attacks of these types are becoming more frequent. Another reason is the fact that motor vehicle alarms and immobilisers are now so much more difficult to crack. Therefore, a desperate person who wants to steal a vehicle has a better opportunity if he or she can actually "hijack" one that already has the ignition key in place. That is, some poor unfortunate person (usually a woman or an elderly person) will be singled out for this type of attack.

Many incidents have been reported where people, mainly women and elderly folk, have been dragged out of the drivers" seats while their vehicles are stationary. They are flung onto the road, often injured and in danger of being hit by other motorists.

Please pass this warning on to all of your female relatives and friends. Tell them: Drive safe; lock doors; handbag off the seat.

By taking these simple precautions they will be protecting themselves from injury, theft, the cost of replacing or repairing a damaged vehicle and the inconvenience of canceling credit cards, keys and personal information. However, the biggest advantage will be the fact that they will not have to endure the fear and ongoing trauma of such an event.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Warn them.

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About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice."