July Is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month

By: Ryan Gallagher July 11, 2017
July is a hot time for hot cars: Most vehicles are stolen during the summer month, which is why the NHTSA has dubbed it National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.
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A driver’s worst nightmare is usually traffic, road rage, or increasing gas prices. However, seldom do individuals stop to think about vehicle theft.

It’s a scary thought, but nearly half of all car thefts occur when drivers fail to take a few simple precautions. In addition, the summer season ranks highest when it comes to the amount of cars stolen each month. In light of these facts, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) christened July as National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.

In 2015, there were nearly 250,000 cars stolen, according to the latest NHTSA report. What’s more, vehicle thefts cost American consumers $5 billion in 2015, up from $4.5 billion in 2014.

Most theft prevention methods are simple. A driver should:

  • Always remove valuables from their car or stow items away from plain sight.
  • Never leave their keys in a vehicle, or keep their car running without being close by.
  • Never keep their vehicle title in a car. If a criminal is able to show the title to police, there is a chance they can get away.

Furthermore, putting the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) on each car window could help a driver who is unfortunate enough to be a victim to car theft.  This method may allow police to recognize and retrieve a stolen vehicle.

So, on your route to the coast, campsite, or cookout, always lock your vehicle and park in a safe, secure, and well-lit area that you know. In addition to these simple pointers, check out more statistics from the NHTSA report below.

Vehicle Theft Is Serious Business

  • Passenger cars make up about 75% of all stolen vehicles.
  • About 42% of vehicles taken are never recovered.
  • The nationwide rate of stolen cars was 220.2 thefts per 100,000 people.
  • 707,758 vehicles were filched in 2015.
  • A vehicle is stolen about every 45 seconds in the United States.

Hot List: Top 10 States for Stolen Vehicles

These states had the most vehicles stolen in 2015:

  1. California
  2. Texas
  3. Florida
  4. Washington
  5. Georgia
  6. Illinois
  7. New York
  8. Ohio
  9. Missouri
  10. Arizona

Ripped-Off Rides

The Honda Accord was the most-stolen vehicle in 2015, according to the NHTSA.
The Honda Accord was the most-stolen vehicle in 2015, according to the NHTSA.

In 2015, the top 10 stolen vehicles were:

  1. Honda Accord
  2. Honda Civic
  3. Chevrolet Silverado
  4. Toyota Camry
  5. Ford F150
  6. Ford Econoline
  7. Nissan Altima
  8. Ford F250
  9. Toyota Corolla
  10. Chevrolet Impala

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