Auto Safety Tips...
Auto Theft - An $8 Billion Dollar Industry.
A vehicle is stolen every 20 seconds
in the United States. The chances of having
your car or truck stolen or broken into are
1 in 42. To help reduce the probability of your
car being stolen we recommend you take the following
precautions.
- Always lock your vehicle and take your keys with you.
- Make sure the windows and sunroof are closed tightly.
- Avoid leaving anything valuable in your vehicle. If you leave anything in your car, hide
it from view.
- At home, keep your vehicle inside a locked garage.
- If a garage is not available, park in the driveway or in a well lit, well traveled area.
- Avoid parking next to large trucks, vans, dumpsters or any objects that are easy for
someone to hide behind.
- Turning the wheels sharply to one side when parallel parking can deter towing thefts.
- In vertical spaces, park nose first for front
wheel drive vehicles and back into the space
with your trunk end first for rear wheel drive
vehicles.
- Carjacking often occurs at stop lights or stop signs. Carjackers stage a rear-end
collision, and working in pairs, one thief distracts the motorist when he gets out to
inspect for damage, then another steals your car. If you suspect a carjacking stay in your
car and drive on. If you can't drive on, lean on your horn to attract attention. If you
are forced to leave the car behind do not reach for your purse or valuables.
- Stay alert! Pay attention to what is happening around you.
- Don't be in a hurry to get to stoplights or
signs. Slow down as you see the light change;
coast to the stop sign, keeping your car moving
forward whenever and wherever possible. Always
try to leave enough space in front of the car
in front of you for an emergency escape.
- Know where you are going and how to get there.
Lost or confused drivers are more vulnerable
than others.
- Check you rear view mirror to make sure you
are not followed into your driveway or garage.
The most effective means to protect your vehicle
from thieves is a combination of anti-theft devices
and vehicle alarm systems. Anti-theft devices
will create undesirable delays for the thief.
The longer it takes a thief to commit the crime,
the more undesirable it becomes. Alarm systems
attract attention to illegal vehicle entry and
should be used in combination with anti-theft
devices. Consider using one or more of the following
devices to reduce your chances of becoming a victim
of a vehicle theft:
-
Steering Wheel Clubs - Horizontal locking
mechanisms prevent the steering wheel from
turning. These devices are highly visible
and adjust to fit any size steering wheel.
-
Accessory locks are an effective way to give
a thief a hard time. In most cases, law enforcement
officials recommend these devices be constructed
of theft-resistant components such as heavy
steel, hardened steel cable, tempered die
cast and case-hardened steel. The following
locks have been proven to deter theft.
-
Pin switch activated by
opening a door, trunk or hood.
-
Motion Detector activated
by jacking up the car or impact to the frame.
-
Shock sensors activated
by breaking glass or impact to the vehicle.
-
Auto Horn alarms wired into
the existing horn.
-
High decibel auxiliary horns designed to
draw attention to tampering attempts.
First make sure your car was not just towed,
then:
Cars are not always as dependable as they should
be. They can break down at any time and leave
you stranded. Here are some precautions to take
so that if your car does break down, you are prepared.
-
Check your car’s tires, oil,
and belts. Proper maintenance is
one of the best ways to prevent your car from
breaking down.
-
Look into joining an automobile association
that offers roadside assistance to its members.
-
Keep your vehicle title in a safe place away
from the vehicle.
-
Check your license plates and VIN tag frequently.
If either is missing, report your loss to
the police.
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