A vehicle is stolen every 43.8 seconds in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Each July, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights its annual Vehicle Theft Prevention campaign to raise awareness about the im portance of auto theft prevention. The NHTSA reports that the summer months are the most common time of year for vehicle theft.
“With vehicle theft often increasing throughout the summer months, it’s important that car owners take precautions to keep their vehicle and belongings safe,” said Gary Buckner, executive vice president and general manager of OKFB Insurance. “Nobody wants to return to their vehicle to find that it’s been stolen. Car owners are encouraged to take simple precautions to discourage theft and stay safe.”
OKFB Insurance is sharing car theft prevention and safety tips for this year’s Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.
Secure your vehicle. Ensure that your vehicle is appropriately secured before walking away. Always roll your windows up, take valuable items with you, don’t leave keys behind and lock the doors. Although it can be tempting to leave windows cracked during the summer heat, cracked windows give car thieves the opportunity to access the inside of your vehicle.
Park in well-lit areas. Assess the area you are planning to park. Are there many people around? Are there other cars? Is the area well-lit? If you don’t have a secure place to store your vehicle, such as a private garage, parking in a well-lit, busy area near other vehicles is a good way to discourage theft.
Tracking devices. With every additional layer of protection on your vehicle, the less likely you are to fall victim to vehicle theft. Tracking devices have allowed many people to recover stolen vehicles and are extremely effective in helping authorities track down stolen cars. Most car thieves don’t like a challenge and tracking devices can deter thieves from your car.