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How common is car theft? According to estimates from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, there were more than 745,000 motor vehicle thefts in the first nine months of 2022 in the U.S. And when citizens are targeted in the most potentially dangerous of these crimes – carjacking – the attacker succeeds in roughly half of all attempts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
To find out how to prevent carjacking and car theft, read on.
① Don’t leave valuables in your car.
You don’t display your cash, financial statements, and jewelry in your home’s windows, do you? So why would you do the same in your car? Instead, hide any valuables, including purses, computer bags, and the ignition key. You’d be surprised how often people don’t.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, between 2019 and 2022, more than 100,000 reported vehicle thefts were facilitated by keys, including situations where keys were left inside the vehicle. One-fourth left a purse or wallet inside, and one-third have left bank statements. In addition, one-third say they’ve kept their vehicle running while unoccupied.
② Park in a well-lit area.
Not everyone has a garage. But many have the option of parking on a well-lit street – another deterrent for crooks. Also, etch the vehicle identification number on windows to discourage thieves from stealing the vehicle and selling it to a chop shop.
③ Lock your vehicle doors.
The minute you step into an automobile, you’re vulnerable. So lock up right away, before starting the ignition or setting up your music, GPS, etc. (Buckling up is the second “to do.”)
④ Don’t leave your keys in the car.
“It’ll just be for a second, I’m only running into the store for a couple things.”
Unfortunately, “a second” is all a thief needs if you leave the keys in the car for them. So always take your keys with you no matter where or how briefly you are out of your vehicle. It sounds obvious, but this is one of the most important ways to prevent car theft.
⑤ Stay alert.
Staying alert is the best example of how to prevent carjacking. When stopped or slowing down, you increase the opportunity for a carjacker. So, at traffic lights, exercise caution.
“When stopped in traffic, leave enough space to move forward,” says Brent O’Bryan, Vice President of Learning and Development for AlliedBarton Security Services, a physical security firm.
⑥ Know where you’re going.
Just as you want to stay in well-lit areas while parking, you don’t want to “hide” in the darkness while driving. “Don’t head into remote or unfamiliar areas,”
O’Bryan says. “If you feel like you’re being followed, don’t drive home. Don’t park next to a vehicle such as a van which could be hiding a suspect.”
⑦ Install an anti-theft system.
If someone tries to break into your car, you must make it apparent to anyone in earshot that a theft is occurring. Anti-theft systems emit loud alarms when they detect forced entry into your vehicle, alerting anyone nearby and potentially scaring the would-be thief from sticking around. You can also install a GPS tracking system that shows the location of your vehicle if the thief successfully makes off with it.
Having an anti-theft device in your vehicle may earn you a discount on your car insurance.
⑧ Stay cool during a crisis.
Even if you take every precaution, you can still find yourself in a carjacking. If so, your and your passengers’ safety remains the top priority. Stay calm – if you panic, it’s more likely a criminal will too.
“Never argue; give up your car,” O’Bryan says. “Get away from the area as quickly as possible. Note the suspect’s appearance, and immediately report it to the police.”
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