Vehicle theft is most common during summer months. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hosts National Theft Vehicle Prevention Month in July to raise awareness and help vehicle owners reduce risk of theft.
According to NHTSA, more than 850,000 vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2024 alone. That’s a motor vehicle theft every 37 seconds. Keep reading for strategies to keep your vehicle safe.
Tips to Prevent Motor Vehicle Theft
Follow these tips when parking and exiting your vehicle to help reduce the risk of motor vehicle theft:
- Bring your vehicle’s key with you. Don’t leave it in or on your vehicle.
- Close and lock all windows and doors.
- Park in well-lit areas when you can.
- Don’t leave valuable items in your vehicle. If you must leave valuable items, make sure they can’t be seen from outside the vehicle.
Thieves will take what they can sell, from vehicle parts like engines and transmissions to personal items like laptops and mobile devices.
Protecting Your Vehicle
Antitheft systems and devices can make vehicles more difficult to steal and improve efforts to trace and recover them if they are stolen.
Audible and Visible Devices: Devices such as horn alarms can halt theft by bringing attention to an unauthorized attempt to break into a vehicle. Visible devices like steering-wheel locks can create a visual deterrent to help prevent theft.
Immobilizing-Type Devices: These devices deter thieves from bypassing the vehicle’s ignition system and prevent hot-wiring. Some use computer chips in ignition keys.
Vehicle Recovery Systems: Electronic transmission technology in these devices help law enforcement determine the location of a stolen vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
