The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a great website and brochure (pdf) with tons of valuable information for car owners and drivers. Check it out and make sure you are doing your part to protect yourself from auto thieves and burglars. 'Tis the season...
One of the main things that stood out to me on the website was that North Carolina is ranked #8 under 'Top 10 U.S. States with the most stolen vehicles': 1. California 2. Florida 3. Texas 4. Illinois 5. Georgia 6. Nevada 7. Maryland 8. North Carolina 9. Arizona 10. Missouri/New Jersey
The second point of interest was the most stolen vehicles list: -Dodge Magnum -Pontiac Grand Prix -Mitsubishi Galant -Chrysler 300 - Chrysler Sebring -Chrysler Pacifica -Chrysler PT Cruiser -Hyundai Sonata -Hyundai Azera -Dodge Charger
DID YOU KNOW?
* 40-50% of vehicle theft is due to driver error.
* The top two months for vehicle thefts are July and August.
* Only about 57% of stolen vehicles are recovered.
USE COMMON SENSE WHEN PARKING AND EXITING YOUR VEHICLE:
* Take your key; don't leave it in or on your vehicle.
* Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
* Park in well-lit areas - in a garage, if possible.
* Never leave valuables in your vehicle... Some of the most popular stolen items left in vehicles are: GPS units, iPods, laptops, and purses.
