Take Action During National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month

Take Action During National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month

Redwood City, CA—Vehicle theft is a multi-billion-dollar crime in the United States. In 2017 alone, nearly three quarters of a million vehicles were stolen nationwide, costing vehicle owners nearly $6 billion. To help drivers keep their vehicles safe, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is continuing its annual Vehicle Theft Prevention Campaign during July, which is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.

In 2017, CA ranked #1 in stolen vehicles, with a total of 773,139 cars, trucks, and other vehicles stolen, according to NHTSA’s recent theft compilation of all model year vehicles stolen during 2017 (as provided by the FBI’s National Crime Information Center).

Vehicle theft is serious business. In the United States in 2017:

• Passenger cars made up more than 50 percent of all stolen motor vehicles.

• Only 59 percent of all stolen motor vehicles were recovered.

• Of all motor vehicles stolen, 75.4 percent were passenger vehicles.

• There were 773,139 motor vehicles stolen.

• A motor vehicle was stolen every 41 seconds.

Take action! Here are ways you can help prevent motor vehicle theft.

• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
• Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Always stow away your valuables.
• Get a Ravelco to prevent vehicle theft

For more information on motor vehicle theft prevention, visit NHTSA.gov/theft. For additional resources, visit the FBI’s Motor Vehicle Theft Page.