Do you lock your doors when in traffic?

mikemac

I'm reading threads around here and hearing on the radio about kids opening car doors and firing snow balls.

And car jacking is rare enough but it has happened in Ireland and will happen again

So I'm wondering, do you lock your doors in traffic?
Tbh, it's not something I ever thought about so I don't but maybe others do?

Zubeneschamali

Yes, I lock the doors on the S-Max. The Mini locks the doors itself when you get moving.

mailforkev

Have always locked them, pretty much no chance of anything ever happening but better safe than sorry. Especially if driving through city centre.

Current car automatically locks them which is handy.

phill106

Mine locks automatically, but i lock hers when i drive too.
btw if you have an audi/vw this autolock can be turned on using a vag-com or at your main dealer.

langdang

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

The Mini locks the doors itself when you get moving.

Yup, I've her's set up to do the same.
Lock my own too, especially at kicking out time from nightclubs if I'm designated dessie - my last car (Mazda 626) was a magnet for drunken ladies looking for a ride.... home.

sean1141

phill106 wrote: »

Mine locks automatically, but i lock hers when i drive too.
btw if you have an audi/vw this autolock can be turned on using a vag-com or at your main dealer.

yup my leon locks its self.. can be a bit annoying when ya hop out to get something from the boot and ya forget to unlock it inside do!!

Ronan Raver77

Yes i always do!!!Mate said yesterday he heard a story of some guy who was egged after a scumbag opened his car door and threw in a few eggs!!! Forgot to add i had my jeep locked last week in drogheda and two drunks tried to open the passenger door looking for smoke they were rowdy enough so imagine if the doors weren't locked..

CiniO

I didn't fill in the poll, because there isn't appropriate answer.
Whether I lock it or not, depends on where I am.

biko

No, never have. I think it comes from something I read when I was young that someone was in a crash and they people outside couldn't get to him.
I would in South Africa.

My last car locked automatically which I liked. I don't do it now unless I'm in an area I'm not comfortable in!

EPM

The Leon locks itself. Don't do it in other cars if I'm honest. Well unless at night about town

Stokolan

Mine locks itself. But I tend to lock cars anyway when driving. With all the talk of getting pelted with snowballs Im glad I do it now.

mrsoundie

Now and again for some strange reason, I lock the doors of the car.

Cant explain it though. Seems a bit weird.

pcardin

I always lock the doors. Had a bad incident in the past. I lock them whatever car I drive and it goes automatcally already, like wearing seabelt.

angeldelight

I almost always do - most of the driving I do I'd be on the car in my own so suppose could be an easy target if someone did want to do something. Also I'm a pharmacist so when finishing somewhere late when it's dark I'm afraid someone will follow me to the car, mistakingly thinking I have the keys so I hop in really quick and lock doors straight away - never realised how paranoid I must seem

TouchingVirus

Now and again if I remember to I'll lock them when in traffic in Dublin. I won't lock 'em anywhere else though.

TheBazman

Heard in work about a number of people in cars who were struggling for traction down a side street getting attacked by gurriers - 20 - 30 young lads smashing the windows and nicking anything they could get their hands on.

misterdeeds

feelingstressed wrote: »

I'm reading threads around here and hearing on the radio about kids opening car doors and firing snow balls.

And car jacking is rare enough but it has happened in Ireland and will happen again

So I'm wondering, do you lock your doors in traffic?
Tbh, it's not something I ever thought about so I don't but maybe others do?

would do for def when i am in a place that im not to farmilair with for sure

rain on

I always lock them without even thinking about it, it's get in -> gearstick in neutral -> engine on -> seatbelt on -> lock doors. I drive around with my handbag on the passenger seat, it's tempting fate to leave the doors open IMO.

C4Kid

My Moms C4 locked automatically when I learned to drive in it and when I got my own car, I kept the habit and ALWAYS lock the doors while driving.

I've heard stories of road rage where people will try to gain access to Your car if you piss them off enough. I heard on Joe Duffy earlier some kids opened the doors of a stationary vehice in traffic and through eggs in.

So far neither have happened to me over the last two years but anyway!;)

djimi

The Blackjax on my Clifford locks the doors automatically, but it was something I did anyway before I got the Clifford. Im not entirely sure why, I wasnt really paranoid about being carjacked or anything, but driving a Type R you just never know what little ****head is going to try and take it from you...

T-Maxx

Not in Ireland no.

ottostreet

I only lock in Dublin, or if I have to drive past nightclub/late bar at closing time.

Paulw

I always lock the doors. Seatbelt on, start ignition, lock doors.

There have been a number of car jackings in Dublin, but still, I'd do it anyway, no matter where I am.

Zynks

I started locking my doors after I was stopped at traffic lights in Ringsend and saw three kids break the passenger window with a rock and took something from inside the car. It was so fast and unexpected that I stood there in shock. I hope that if it happens to me I'll have the time to hold the fecker's hand and start driving away.

Nforce

I activated auto-locking on our family E46 bmw when we bought it(took 5 minutes with the right cables and software). I've de-activated it since as it was a bit annoying at times.

If I have company in the car I often do, rarely if I'm on my own.

langdang

Nforce wrote: »

I've de-activated it since as it was a bit annoying at times.

I've found it fine if your passengers are normal and have respect for other peoples property. Unfortunately if you happen to transport the odd mongolian yak herder - they get a bit agitated when the first pull of the handle doesn't release them back into the wild, and kinda freak out and attack the door. You find yourself having to get to the unlock button before them so they don't rip off any parts of your door.

psycho-hope

depends on where we are, mum definatly does at night when she is on here own or if shes driving somewhere she isnt familiar with

af_thefragile

Yes. All the time. A few days ago my friend was attacked by a guy with a knife trying to steal her car ( might have had read about it in the papers). Always best to keep them doors locked. Especially in Dublin.

misterdeeds

rain on wrote: »

I always lock them without even thinking about it, it's get in -> gearstick in neutral -> engine on -> seatbelt on -> lock doors. I drive around with my handbag on the passenger seat, it's tempting fate to leave the doors open IMO.

I dont want to frighten you but do not drive around with your handbag on the passenger seat what happens is the side window will be smashed and your hand bag will be gone in 2 secconds so locking your doors will not stop this put it under the passenger seat or in the boot
just to warn you. thanks for your reoly

TwoShedsJackson

I always lock the doors, except maybe on a Sunday morning or whatever driving down to the shops to get the paper and/or the ingredients for the fry-up I would make double sure to lock them in conditions like we have at the moment, seen far too many little fu<kers throwing snowballs, trying to open doors, all sorts of ****e.

Absurdum

rain on wrote: »

I drive around with my handbag on the passenger seat, it's tempting fate to leave the doors open IMO.

asking for trouble (depending on where you are!), imo

I always lock my doors.

af_thefragile

misterdeeds wrote: »

I dont want to frighten you but do not drive around with your handbag on the passenger seat what happens is the side window will be smashed and your hand bag will be gone in 2 secconds so locking your doors will not stop this put it under the passenger seat or in the boot
just to warn you. thanks for your reoly

I always drive with my bag and iPod on the passenger seat...
If i park the car in a dodgy place, I move the bag to the rear seats where it's not that visible and throw the iPod in the glove box or take it with me... Maybe I should be a little more careful. Still breaking a window open takes a bit more effort than opening the door... More noise can get more attention and all...

af_thefragile

af_thefragile wrote: »

I always drive with my bag and iPod on the passenger seat...

You have a handbag ? I thought you were a dude ?

af_thefragile

RoverJames wrote: »

You have a handbag ? I thought you were a dude ?

It's a school bag/backpack... I never mentioned a handbag!!

Absurdum

RoverJames wrote: »

You have a handbag ? I thought you were a dude ?

Manbag! Get with the program granpa :rolleyes:

lilahelena

Yes all the time I just do it automatically as soon as I close the door

af_thefragile

af_thefragile wrote: »

It's a school bag/backpack... I never mentioned a handbag!!

True, but you responded to someone who mentioned handbag

Absurdum wrote: »

Manbag! Get with the program granpa :rolleyes:

Manbag :pac: I won't risk a 99% certain ban by commenting on them and the "men" who carry them

af_thefragile

Aah yeah... Maybe a backpack isn't as attractive than a handbag. Much cheaper too...

E39MSport

Definitely. And I leave enough room in front of me while in standing traffic to enable me to get away.

Had an attempted car jack a few years ago while in standing traffic close to Store street Garda station. Someone took a fancy to my BB4 Lude. Came from the blind spot. Tried to open the door but couldn't as it was locked. Then popped a screwdriver out from his sleeve.

Foot down. Nearly ran the fokker over. Prik with ears.

Absurdum

E39MSport wrote: »

Definitely. And I leave enough room in front of me while in standing traffic to enable me to get away.

I always do that too. I also had laminated side windows on my Prelude and Integra :pac:
I must get that done again, just in case like.

maximoose

Car locks itself, but if it didnt I probably would too. Have a few friends who have been mugged in their cars while in traffic. Not that locks stopped them, bastards smashed the windows and snatched handbags.

How Strange

Yes, ever since I heard of a woman being car jacked over near east link by 2 men a few years ago. She escaped thankfully but the gardai reckon they were going to abduct and rape her. I now always lock them when driving in suburbs or around town or any city. I've got my oh in the habit of doing the same. I always put my bag on the floor too and never leave anything on the back seat.

I read somewhere that you shouldn't lock them while on a motorway. I think it's in case you have an accident but not sure exactly why.

ToxicPaddy

Had an incident a good few years ago where a little scumbag tried to open the back door of my car and steal my rucksack off the back seat.. I copped him in the rearview mirror crouched down on the passenger side, waited and as soon as he had his hand on the handle, floored it and dragged him for about 5 meters before he could let go..

Needless to say I laughed but I doubt he found anything to laugh about as he was dragged along a rather bumpy dry street.. :P

Now I automatically lock my doors when driving into Dublin.. everywhere else, not too worried to be honest..

blastman

I didn't, but I fitted an alarm to the car after an attempted break-in and the alarm now locks the doors automatically.

Zubeneschamali

How Strange wrote: »

I read somewhere that you shouldn't lock them while on a motorway. I think it's in case you have an accident

I believe most cars these days will unlock the doors in a crash.

cjt156

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

Needless to say I laughed but I doubt he found anything to laugh about as he was dragged along a rather bumpy dry street.. :P

You weren't tempted to slam it in reverse once he'd let go? To, eh, check if he was injured...enough.
Always locked up tight, never know.

anewme

I posted here in September about how three scumbags tried to open my door while I was stopped in traffic at the back of the Ilac centre. It was the middle of the day about 2.30.

I could see them wandering through the traffic and pointing out my car then one went to my drivers side and the other to the passenger side and both tried to open the door. Before that he was saying through the window, you have a flat tyre at the back in the hope I would get out and they would be away in my brand new car.

I was first at the lights, so just took off even though I was at red but no one coming.

That is a good idea to leave enough room between yourself and car in front to escape. Will make sure to implement that in future.

If someone tries to come up to my car at night or attempt to drag me out or whatever, I know I would just run straight over them to get away. Dont care what happens after that.

I cannot reiterate how important it is to lock your doors.

bongi69

Yes.

Habit from back home where this stuff is more common.

I even go as far as to not open a window when my phone is in a windscreen holder being used as a satnav, lest some scumbag desires my iphone and just sticks hand through open window.

CorkMan

biko wrote: »

No, never have. I think it comes from something I read when I was young that someone was in a crash and they people outside couldn't get to him.
I would in South Africa.

A bit like closing the top of your Porsche when going into a carwash.