A car or a truck loaded with a large amount of explosives and detonate at the place chosen by a terrorist organization as a site for bombing. The detonation is achieved either by a suicide bomber driving the vehicle, or by remote means. Car bombs are used not only for random acts of terror but also for assassination attempts against specific persons. A suspicious vehicle, or “car bomb”, has a number of advantages as compared to other means of terror, due to its ability to carry a large explosive load, thus achieving a potentially high number of casualties, its high mobility (breaking through barriers and such), and capacity for extensive collateral damage which may cause additional casualties (for instance, as a result of building collapse) and sustain the memory of the terrorist attack for a long time.
When is a vehicle considered suspicious?
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If the vehicle is parked in an unusual location
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If the vehicle is parked for a long time in a no-parking space
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If the driver of the vehicle appears suspicious
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If the driver of the vehicle is disoriented in his surroundings and appears unusually agitated
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If the vehicle looks overloaded
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For any other reason
What do I do when I notice a suspicious vehicle?
In any case a suspicious vehicle is discovered, it should be treated as containing munitions. Do not touch the vehicle or try to open its doors. Disperse the bystanders and block the street approaches to the vehicle. Inform the police immediately of the vehicle’s presence, specifying its location and the reason for suspicion.