What do you do if someone is following you?

This is one of the most asked questions in our courses.  The key is not to over think it while at the same time not to minimize the threat.  Here is your goal-

Not to let them come in physical contact with you before the police come in physical contact with them.

Here are some ways to accomplish just that-

• Recognize if someone is following you by making four consecutive right turns.  This will bring you back to the same place, so you will know they are following you.
• Stay calm
• Put your flashers and lay on your horn as much as you can to attract attention.
• Call 911 and tell them where you are.  It is best to give a landmark just ahead of you, businesses are the easiest.  For example, "I am on Rt 40 East approaching the train station"
• Do not stop driving no matter how slow.  Movement will keep you alive.  Even if they crash into you, continue to drive as long as the vehicle is driveable.  Be prepared to drive over things like low curbs and landscaping if you need to, but keep moving.
• If possible, it is OK to drive through busy areas with lots of people, but don't stop.  A dedicated attacker will not let that stop him from attacking you.
• DO NOT lead them to your house.  First of all, this would cause you to stop, endanger your loved ones, and let them know where you live even if they drive off.
• People will often say to drive to the police station.  During the hours of darkness, it is likely only the front lobby is open and if there is a dispatcher they are protected by bullet proof glass.  If you have not been in contact with them, there is a good chance there will not be any officers at the station.  If you burst in running from someone, you will initially be considered a threat as well.

The best case scenario is that police are able to intercept you and get between you and the person following you and conduct a traffic stop.  If this happens and they stop, drive a safe distance away to separate yourself from the scene.  If for some reason you are blocked in by the police or physical barrier and they have him stopped, you need to decide whether it is better to jump out and get behind something that will stop bullets such as a concrete structure or vehicle, or sink down in your seat to make your body a smaller target and put the most metal between you and them.

Hopefully it never gets to this point or you are not followed at all.  If you are and at some point they drive away, get a good description of the driver and the vehicle.  If you cannot easily remember the license plate number, concentrate on make, model, body damage, and identifiers such as bumper stickers. 

Thinking through scenarios in your head will prepare you for real life emergencies.