Nowadays, motor vehicle crimes in Florida involving the hijacking of cars and highway robberies are becoming rampant and distressful. Theft or attempted theft of automobiles based on FBI 2020 reports that $7.4 billion was lost to motor vehicle theft alone.
- Across the nation, a total of 810,400 vehicles were stolen (2020)
- 41,119 UCR motor vehicle theft offenses (Florida,2018)
- 8,301 arrests for motor vehicle theft in Florida
Carnapping, hijacking, and highway robbery are some of the types of motor vehicle crimes that a vehicle owner or driver should know about. It is important to understand more about these crimes to help prevent and protect drivers from these crimes to happen. Here we share some tips on how you can defend and prevent yourself and your car from being carnapped, hijacked and highway robbed in Cape Coral, Florida.
Carnapping
Carnapping or auto theft involves taking a vehicle without the presence of the owner or driver. It can happen anywhere, whether in parking lots, gasoline stations or even in your driveway parking. This motor vehicle crime may put the lives of the driver and its passengers in danger, so prevention is essential to avert it from happening.
Anti-Carnapping Tips
When in Parking Lots or Public Garages
- Across the nation, a total of 810,400 vehicles were stolen (2020)
- Make sure the vehicle is locked and the keys are removed
- Leave the vehicle in a high-traffic location with open lights
- Before looking for a parking spot, first, check the safety of the area Handover your car keys to the management for safekeeping whenever you leave your vehicle to shop for repair or other needs
When at Home or Driveway Parking
- Never forget to close the doors and windows before leaving the vehicle
- Do a last-minute night check (around 9 pm)
- Never forget to check and lock garage gates at all times
When in Gasoline Stations
- Always watch over the vehicle if buying for stops
- Make sure to close windows and doors when exiting the vehicle
- Remove the keys whenever leaving the vehicle
- Never give your car keys to strangers for safekeeping
Things to Avoid being Targeted by a Car Thief:
- A car with open windows and unlocked doors
- A car with forgotten keys or spare key openly insight
- A car with nobody looking over
- A car parked vulnerably like having poor lights with low visibility
- A car with exposed valuables and items inside
- A car without protection like anti-theft devices and systems
Target Items of a Car Thief:
- Vehicle Parts: Radios and wheel covers doors, engines, transmissions, airbags, radios, GPS units
- Other items: Purses, laptops, cell phones, iPods, and GPS units
Protect Your Vehicle
Investing in anti-vehicle theft systems and devices can protect the vehicle from thievery, easier to trace and recover. Below are some devices that can help protect and keep a safer vehicle:
1. Visible and Audible Devices
- Alarms: Horn
- Locks: Brake /Wheel/ Brake Pedal Lock/ Gearshift Column
- Steering Column Collars
- Steering Wheels
- Theft Deterrent Decals
- Flashing Lights
- Window Etching
- Micro Dot Markings
2. Auto Immobilizer
- Disablers: Fuel/Starter/Ignition
- Ignition/Wireless Authentication Devices
- Smart Keys
- Fuse Cut-offs
- Kill switches
3. Tracking Systems
- Tracking Devices: Active and Passive
Hijacking / Highway Robberies
Hijacking or also known as carjacking is another type of motor vehicle crime where the robber takes directly or forcibly the vehicle from the driver of the car or the owner. A threat of violence is used to steal the vehicle from the driver including the driver and its occupant’s valuables and other items. Hijacking has been considered a more serious offense than auto theft because of it’s of violence or force that accompanies the crime.
Anti-Hijacking Tips
- Before opening the door of your car, check to make sure nobody is hiding inside the car
- When carrying valuables, hide them out of sight like in your trunk
- Always be on alert and ready all the time with your cell phone or other communication devices, if an emergency arises
- Before getting out of the vehicle, always check and close the windows
- Do not stop and help out parked vehicles asking for assistance. Find a telephone and call for aid.
- If waiting for some time while parking, do not stay inside the vehicle. Wait from a distance with keeping the vehicle in sight.
- Talk to security personnel if you notice suspicious-looking persons or not so normal behaviors of people
- If you feel you are being followed or stalked by suspicious-looking people or vehicles, drive towards a crowded area
- Before hiring a new driver for your car, always do a background check first
- If you plan to sell your car, do some research about the buyer before letting them have a test run of the vehicle
- If you are in a position that you are forced to stop your vehicle, lock your doors and windows and sound off the horn for help
- If you noticed you are followed or harassed by another vehicle, drive to a police precinct, fire station, or public place with people and ask for help. Do not go to your house, to an empty lot, or a deserted area
Highway Robbery
These days, highway robbery is becoming a vehicle crime trend for most Floridian drivers. It involves a highway robber stopping the vehicle in the middle of the road and robbing the driver, including the passengers of their valuables and other things.
Anti-Hijacking Tips
- Avoid hitchhikers
- If making stops in an intersection, keep the car in gear position
- Avoid less traveled streets and dark alleys at night time
- Invest in alarm and safety devices such as steering locks and sensors
- Keep valuables out of sight inside the vehicle
- Install a vehicle camera with settings in recorded mode, both at the back and front
- Always keep all doors and windows closed and locked
Cape Coral, Florida’s Fastest and Most Reliable Towing Services
Cape Coral Towing and Recovery, Inc. knows the value of the safety and protection of their customers. Driving on the road can be risky if someone is not careful, vigilant, and has no means of protection against motor vehicle criminals or robbers.
With more than 25 years of experience Cape Coral Towing and Recovery, Inc. have been providing premium quality and affordable towing services in Cape Coral, Florida, and the surrounding in Southwest Florida. Our team of technicians provides speedy roadside assistance and the most reliable towing services for broken down or accidents to a car, motorcycle, or any type of motor vehicle.
Florida’s Towing and Recovery Services
- Car Removal Services
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Discover and learn more about how to protect against motor vehicle crimes with Cape Coral Towing and Recovery, Inc. at 239-458-3333 or message us online for service requests today!
