Soldier of Fortune Magazine The Journal of Professional Adventurers
by Greg Chabot
You didn’t plan to be there. Most people don’t. But one wrong turn, one blocked exit, or one unexpected surge — and suddenly, you’re in your car in the middle of a riot. Don’t panic. As riot season heats up, here’s what to do if you find yourself amid chaos. I base some of this on my own experiences dealing with unruly mobs in Iraq.
Know your State and local Laws
Many states consider your vehicle an extension of your dwelling. This gives you rights under the Stand Your Ground or Castle Doctrine laws, if your state has them. It is important you do your research and know the law to the best of your ability. If traveling to a city, check the local ordinances as some may differ from state laws.
Threat Assessment and Route Planning
Doing a threat assessment is not as daunting as one would think. If you live in an area that has already experienced riots, you know what areas to avoid or travel around. If traveling from outside an urban area, do research or ask friends that live in the area how things are. When planning a route to your destination, I personally recommend two alternatives. Arriving safely trumps convenience in my opinion. Think twice about that “short cut.” Social media is a great tool to get information on happenings in most areas. Please, do not be afraid to cancel plans if the situation dictates.
What should you do if your route planning leads you directly into a riot? Security officers train on how to handle being immersed in such situations. How should civilians prepare to act?
Basic Safety Tips
1) Have an escape route. I always leave at least one car length between my vehicle and the one in front of me. That gives me the ability in case of an emergency to either make a U-turn or go around the vehicle in front. You need to stay mobile and not get boxed in. Avoid the center lane, if possible, so you are not trapped by other vehicles. I personally have no qualms with running a red light or driving over a median/sidewalk to get away. And yes, I will risk some damage to my vehicle. I’d rather fight an insurance adjuster than a mob.
2) Stay in your vehicle! Your vehicle gives you some protection from foot mobiles. There are plenty of videos of motorists getting out of their vehicles to “negotiate” with rioters. It is not worth the risk of being assaulted or seriously injured. Keep your windows up and your doors locked. Even if they are damaging the vehicle, stay in it if you can. Vehicle repairs are cheaper than medical bills or a funeral.
READ MORE from Greg Chabot: Tortured, Shot, Stuffed in a Trunk: A Day of Hate in Iraq
3) Have passengers get down on the floor and cover up. If the windows are broken, this move could prevent injury. Stay calm and reassure passengers, especially children.
4) Have a plan and rehearse it for yourself and passengers.
5) Know the location of the nearest hospital in case of injuries to yourself or passengers.
6) Know how to deactivate safety features in your vehicle. Many vehicles will brake if an obstacle is detected. Learn what does what in your vehicle, and learn how to deactivate censors etc.
Other Considerations
Is your vehicle organized? If you must abandon your vehicle, is your weapon, phone, etc. in easy reach? Being caught in a riot is not the time to be scrambling for items. The key to surviving these scenarios is to put distance between you and them. And hopefully avoiding a confrontation.
Do you have a first-aid kit? Every vehicle should have one with tourniquets in case of severe injury. I also recommend taking a class in basic first aid.
Fuel is another consideration. The last place I want to run low on fuel is in a rioting urban area. Gas stations are usually some of the first places attacked or looted. I personally top off the tank before entering an urban area. Fuel=Mobility, which equals options to get to safety.
Leave the Area
The best advice I can give is, DO NOT STOP! Keep going until you are out of danger preferably miles away. Do not give up on your vehicle regardless of damage! If it is running and can move, it will be faster than rioters on foot even with flat tires. If possible, try to zig-zag. That could prevent someone jumping up on the hood. If Molotov cocktails are employed by rioters, push through the attack. If flames are not in the passenger compartment keep moving! The liquid and flames will dissipate quickly.
Hopefully, these tips will help you, the reader, develop your own SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) if caught in your vehicle in one of these situations. Even with trained soldiers and armored vehicles, a riot is a dangerous experience for all involved.
As we see on news sites, many people fail to be situationally aware and become victims of the mob. We can only hope law and order will prevail, and it becomes safe to travel through urban areas during riot season. Stay alert! Stay alive! Have a plan.
Greg Chabot served in Iraq 2004-2005. He is a freelance writer living in New Hampshire. He frequently contributes to Soldier of Fortune.
