Transportation and Vehicle Safety: Decoy Passanger/doll, peak traffic hours, sao paulo brazil

Question
QUESTION: Hi Terry, I was wondering if there is such a thing as a Decoy, inflatable companion to go in my car. I leave in a very dangerous town (Sao Paulo, Brazil), and I was just car-jacked. The police suggested that I was a target because I drive alone.  So, I was wondering if such a thing exists and that I can drive around with it.  Does that sounds crazy?

ANSWER: Hi Renata....

Decoys have been available for purchase for quite some time now. The first time I had become aware of them for vehicular use was not for protection issues, but for convenience. Driving in commuter lanes without two or more occupants is illegal in many areas of the U.S. during posted peak traffic hours.

To avoid being pulled over by the police and cited for an expensive violation, the mascot was used to fool the police into thinking the car had a second occupant.

... And they are not the only players in this cat and mouse game. I also know some police departments that have also parked their patrol vehicles on roadways/highways unattended with a mascot inside. These are usually those areas known for speed violations, where they do not have enough officers to cover all their assignments.

Certainly many have used them to make criminals believe they are not driving alone, however, one of the greatest detractors concerning the use of a mascot is dependant on the skill and training of the observer.

A skilled observer will look for non-patterned motion. Unless the mascot appears sleeping, you will not be able to fool the professional.

I hope this answers your question Renata.

Terry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Terry,
Thanks for the quick reply.  I have searched the web for such a "mascot" and I can not find. You would not know where I could get one, do you?

Thanks,

Answer
Hi Renata!

Try a google search for the string:
"mannequin display"

There are so many that I couldn't even begin to list them, some tastefully designed and some absolutely horrid with sexual overtones. I am sure yiu will find what you're looking for.

Terry

Sent from my iPhone