Carjacking has increased in New Jersey over the past few years, and a driving school aims to teach its students how to defend themselves safely against potential robberies.

According to state police, 359 carjackings took place in New Jersey in 2010, with 73 percent of stolen vehicles recovered. Eighty-four percent of those carjackings occured in residential areas and 77 perecent happened at night.

At Tony Scotti's Vehicle Dynamics Institute in Englishtown, instructors train their students on how to properly handle any approaching carjacker. Those attending the school include body guards and law enforcement officials.

"The objective is to put time and distance between you and the threat," said Joseph Autera, the driving school's president. Autera advises anticipating potential dangers while driving and to always be looking for an escape if approached.