Warden Message – Driving Safety

This Warden Message is to advise Americans of a carjacking incident that occurred near the Yosemite expat housing area on Sunday afternoon, January 27. The Chinese police are investigating. The incident occurred when a Chinese national exited her car after being struck from behind.  Three assailants forced her back into the vehicle, which they commandeered and drove off.  The woman was later released without having suffered serious physical injury.  We take this opportunity to remind the American community to review their safety and security procedures when driving. 
Americans are advised to

• Keep a cell phone and charger in your car at all times.
• In the event of an accident call the Police at 110.
• Keep your car in good repair; the gas tank should be at least 1/2 full at all times.
• Use gas stations that are well lit and busy.
• Use well-traveled, well-lit roads whenever possible.
• Keep your doors locked while driving.
• At traffic lights, leave yourself room to maneuver.
• Keep your car in gear when you stop at a traffic signal.
• Park on well-lit streets with plenty of pedestrian traffic.
• Whenever possible, do not park at a location where you have to surrender your keys. Never surrender the keys to your residence to attendants or valets; keep vehicle and residence keys on separate chains.
• Place valuables or removable items in your trunk. 
• When planning vacations, travel or making large purchases don’t discuss how much cash you have or how long you will be gone.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. or Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). 

The US Embassy can be reached 24 hours per day at 86-10-6532-3431. The addresses and telephone contact information for the US Embassy and Consulates are at the bottom of this announcement. 

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in China are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy or closest U.S. Consulate by entering your travel itinerary and contact information at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp. In case of difficulties registering online, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

U.S. Embassy Beijing:   No. 2 Xiu Shui Dong Jie, Chaoyang District.  tel: 86-10-6532-3431 Email: amcitbeijing@state.gov. Embassy’s website:  beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn. 

U.S. Consulate General Chengdu:  Number 4, Lingshiguan Road, Section 4, Renmin Nanlu, Chengdu 610041, tel. 86-28-8558-3992 Email: consularchengdu@state.gov. 

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou:   The Consular Section is located at 5th Floor, Tianyu Garden (II phase), 136-146 Lin He Zhong Lu, Tianhe District, tel. (86-20) 8518-7605; Email:GuangzhouACS@state.gov. Guangzhou adoptions Email: GuangzhouA@state.gov

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai:  The Consular Section is located in the Westgate Mall, 8^th Floor, 1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200041; tel. (86-21) 3217-4650, Email: Shanghaiacs@state.gov. 

U.S. Consulate General Shenyang:  No. 52, 14^th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003; tel. (86-24) 2322-1198, Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov