Keep Your Vehicle Secure
All year long people take their cars on trips, but the most common season is summer. During these months, car thieves are always on the lookout for new vehicles in their city. While on vacation, people want to relax and take it easy, but they still must be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to keep themselves and their vehicles safe.
The most important rule of securing your vehicle is to always keep it locked. Many thieves have admitted that they look for cars that are unlocked, or have the windows rolled down. Criminals will be more likely to steal a vehicle they can get without trouble over a more expensive car that they would have to break into.
Another car safety tip to keep in mind is to never leave anything a criminal might want to in a visible area such as the back seat or floor. You don’t want to draw attention to your vehicle and make it seem more appealing. A thief who notices valuables in an automobile may choose to steal it over other nearby cars, or at least break in to take what they want. Personal belongings should be placed in the trunk.
A car alarm is one of the best ways to protect your vehicle. Even a sticker that notifies people that the car has an active security system may be a deterrent to someone who is looking for a car they can steal quickly. That said, modern alarm systems have led to thieves developing high tech methods of disarming the vehicles they want, so you may choose to invest in a tracking device such as Lojack or OnStar. These systems allow police officers to track down and recover vehicles quickly.
When to Back Off
Car owners are protective of their vehicles. While it is wise to do everything possible to keep your automobile secure, if a situation ever comes down to your own safety versus allowing a criminal to get away with your car, your safety must always be the top priority.
Car jacking is a method predators use to steal a car while it is being operated by the owner. They wait until the vehicle is stopped and the driver will not be able to get away. Once a car jacker has targeted a particular automobile, they will take it by force, and will often carry a weapon that they are ready and willing to use. The best way to avoid a carjacking is to stay alert and watch for anyone who is approaching your while you are stopped. Keep your doors locked and windows up, as this alone may cause the criminal to choose another vehicle. If you are faced with deadly force, however, it is time to back off and let the thief have their way.
Top 10 Stolen Vehicles
Every year thousands of cars, motorcycles and SUV’s are stolen. Crime experts study the trends of car theft, and produce reports on the vehicles that are most often taken during any given year. The top ten list for 2011 were:
- 1994 Honda Accord
- 1998 Honda Civic
- 2006 Ford Pickup (Full Size)
- 1991 Toyota Camry
- 2000 Dodge Caravan
- 1994 Acura Integra
- 1999 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
- 2004 Dodge Pickup (Full Size)
- 2002 Ford Explorer
- 1994 Nissan Sentra
The National Insurance Crime Bureau Auto Theft Study, a highly reputable group that specializes in crime studies, discovered these results. While every vehicle may be subject to being stolen, individuals who own one of the automobiles on this list should take extra care to protect their cars.
Whether you are traveling or at home, keeping your car safe is entirely up to you. Take precautions to protect your vehicle, but always keep in mind that no matter how valuable a car may be, your own safety is entirely priceless.
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