July is Vehicle Theft Protection Month

18 Jul 2019

July is the month well-known for celebrating Independence Day. It’s also one of the hottest months of the year, leading to many summer vacations and other festivities. However, not only is July a hot month in terms of temperature, but it’s also a hot month when it comes to vehicle theft in the U.S.

According to estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2017, the value of vehicles stolen was almost $6 million. Because summertime is a prime time for vehicle thieves, the NHTSA is designating July as the National Vehicle Theft Protection Month.

As part of their vehicle theft prevention outreach, the NHTSA works hard to educate vehicle owners about ways they can deter the theft of their vehicles and what precautionary measures they can take. The NHTSA provides infographics, fact sheets and other relevant information, helping to inform consumers about high-theft areas by state, the prominence of vehicle theft and who to contact and what to do if a vehicle theft occurs.

To keep your vehicle out of the hands of thieves, the NHTSA urges you take certain measures.

Don’t Make Your Vehicle a Target

First, never leave your keys in your vehicle — always take them with you when you leave your vehicle. Be sure you shut and lock all your doors and windows of your vehicle when you’re not in it and park in areas that are well-lit when you can. Don’t leave any of your valuables in your vehicle where they can be seen. Not only are thieves looking to steal vehicles, but they’re also interested in other things like:

Mechanical parts
Air bags
Sheet metal like fenders and doors
Cell phones
Laptops
iPads
Purses
Navigation and audio systems

Don’t let your vehicle become an easy target.

Protect Your Vehicle

There are various types of antitheft devices and systems designed for making vehicles harder to steal and/or easier to track and recover. A couple of them include:

Immobilizing-Type Devices: These are antitheft systems that make hot-wiring your vehicle almost impossible.
Visible and Audible Devices: Theft-deterrent decals and steering wheel locks warn potential thieves to stay away from your vehicle. Alarms deter theft since they are loud and will bring attention to a thief trying to break into your vehicle

GPS Tracking Device

A great added layer of protection for your vehicle is a GPS tracking device. GPS tracking systems are extremely effective in helping police recover stolen vehicles. There are even systems that utilize “telematics” that combine wireless technologies with GPS to allow remote vehicle monitoring. So, if your vehicle is moved, this technology will alert you and you can track your vehicle on a computer or your mobile phone.

If a thief steals your vehicle, the very first thing you should do is contact law enforcement and file a report. You’ll need this report when you make an insurance claim. Keep a copy of your vehicle identification number and license plate number separate from your car. In your report, you’ll provide details on the color, make and model of your vehicle along with other distinguishing characteristics.

If you have GPS tracking in your vehicle, do not attempt to recover the vehicle yourself. Call the police and let them do the tracking and recovering.

Looking to add vehicle theft protection? Consider the GPS tracking solution we offer here at LiveViewGPS. Take a look at our website and/or call us at 1-888-544-0494.

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About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.