Health & Fitness
Car Theft Spikes in July
July is National Vehicle Theft Protection Month, as a majority of car thefts take place in July and August.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States every 44 seconds. This adds up to about $4.3 billion in stolen vehicles a year.
The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) recently released a list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles from 2010-2012. Keep in mind that this list only takes account for vehicles that are insured.
Additionally, this list does not differentiate between theft of vehicle contents and theft of the entire vehicle.
Here's the top 5:
- Ford’s (F) F-250 crew 4WD
- Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 crew
- Chevrolet’s Avalanche 1500
- General Motors’ (GM) Sierra 1500 crew
- Ford’s F-350 crew 4WD
With Havertown vehicle thefts on the rise, it's important to keep a few things in mind when it comes to keeping yourself and your vehicle safe. Plus, only about half of stolen vehicles are recovered, so it's a pretty stressful situation.
Tips for Keeping Your Vehicle Safe
- Hold onto your key. Never leave it inside your vehicle or "hidden" outside the vehicle.
- Park in well-lit areas. If you have a garage to store your car, use it.
- Always lock your doors. Just because you're sure you'll "be right back," doesn't stop a thief.
- Don't keep valuable in your car, and if you have to, make sure they are not visible.
- Get an antitheft device.
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