Don’t Make It Easy for Car Thieves
It strikes even in the most scenic campground, and at the beach, and ruins family vacations each year: vehicle thefts and burglaries. As a park ranger, I was trained to expect that the summer months would be filled with filling out vehicle theft reports. But each one is preventable.
When it comes to road safety, taking care of your vehicle involves more than just maintenance. More than 700,000 vehicles are stolen every year, and more than half of those are due to driver error, such as forgetting to lock the doors or leaving valuables in plain sight.
Year after year, summer proves to be the worst season for vehicle theft. You can protect your property – and your peace of mind – with a few simple steps. And if your vehicle is unfortunately stolen, learn how to respond and report the crime.
Protect Your Ride
Parking: Always park in a well-lit area or in a garage whenever possible. Close and lock all windows and doors when you park. Before leaving your vehicle, take some time to make sure you have your keys with you – don’t leave them in or on your car. Never leave your vehicle running with the keys in the ignition, no matter if you’re letting the engine warm up or if you will only be inside for a minute.
Valuables: Vehicle theft is a very expensive crime, with the cost of stolen vehicles estimated at more than $5.9 billion – that’s billion with a “B.” Keep in mind that thieves want vehicle parts and valuable items, too. Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially in plain sight. If you must, remember to lock them in your trunk. Some of the most popular valuable items stolen from vehicles include radios, GPS, cell phones, tablets, laptops and purses. Even gym bags can attract thieves – after all, they don’t know that it’s just clothes and shoes inside. Be sure to move any bags to the trunk for safekeeping.
Anti-theft devices: While most new car buyers don’t have to worry about this, it’s a smart idea to have an anti-theft device installed if you’re driving an older car that doesn’t have one. There are numerous anti-theft systems and devices to make vehicles more difficult to steal or easier to trace and recover. Audible and visible devices deter theft by bringing attention to an attempt to steal or enter a vehicle. Immobilizing devices prevent thieves from bypassing a vehicle’s ignition system and hot-wiring the vehicle. Vehicle recovery systems use electronic transmission technology to help law enforcement reveal the location of the stolen vehicles – and possibly catch the thief in the act.
Where’s My Ride?
If you find yourself in the stressful situation where your vehicle has been stolen, stay calm and contact the police immediately to file a stolen vehicle report. Then, get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible to submit a claim. If you happen to find your vehicle before the authorities do, be sure to notify the police and your insurance company right away. And most importantly, if you find yourself confronted by a carjacker, don’t resist – cars can be replaced, but your life can’t.
A motor vehicle is stolen every 41 seconds in the United States. Most of us depend on our vehicles to get us to work every day, to run errands, and to stay connected to friends and family. Protect yourself from being the next victim of vehicle theft.
For even more information on vehicle theft prevention, please visit www.NHTSA.gov
