When my mom called to tell me my brother’s car had been broken into I was stunned. Thieves not only took his car stereo, his backpack, a duffel bag, and other personal items, they also managed to strip part of his car in broad daylight while he surfed on Oahu’s North Shore. A few days later she called again to tell me that my other brother’s Honda had been stolen from right outside of his Honolulu apartment building. Hawaii is notorious for auto thefts (can you tell).
So why am I sharing my brother’s misfortunes with you. For starters it should serve as a warning to anyone visiting Oahu. Don’t think driving a rental car makes you less of a target for auto thefts—it doesn’t. The second reason–Hawaii is not the only place where your travel plans can hit a snag if you become the victim of a car thief.
According to a recent study done by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a car is stolen in the United States every 25.5 seconds. In 2005, more than $1.2-million motor vehicles were reported stolen. That’s down from 2004, but it still adds up to about $7.6 billion in losses.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau also came out with an updated list of the most stolen vehicles in the United States. In 2005 the car most sought after by auto thefts across the country was the Honda Accord (by the way, this was the type of car my brother had stolen), followed by the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Dodge Caravan and the Nissan Sentra. The Bureau also came out with lists for specific states. For example, in Wisconsin the most stolen vehicle was the Oldsmobile Cutlass, followed by the Buick Le Sabre, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and the Buick Century.
But take heart, if you drive any one of these vehicles there are ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of auto theft. Experts suggest you follow the following tips to protect your car:
1. Lock Up. It’s the cheapest form of defense. Lock your car and take your keys. Also make sure your windows are closed and park in well lighted areas. My brother is now an advocate of “The Club” a device that fits over a car’s steering wheel, and locks it in place. It makes it harder for a thief to drive off with the car without removing it first.
2. Warning Device: Visible or audible warning devices (a.k.a car alarms) are other items that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.
3. Immobilizing Device: “Kill” switches, fuel cut-offs, and smart keys are among the devices which studies prove are highly effective. Generally speaking, if your car won’t start, it won’t get stolen.
4. Tracking Device: If your vehicle is stolen, these systems help law enforcement track and recover it and return it to you.
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