Chapter 15: THEFT PREVENTION

INTRODUCING THE ULTIMATE IN CAR THEFT PREVENTION Given that a vehicle is stolen somewhere in Australia every 4 minutes (one of the highest rates in the world), the ULTIMATE IN CAR THEFT PROTECTION (as shown below) is to live on an island a little smaller than Australia. Probably won't stop a joy-rider driving the car over a cliff during the night There is only one thing worse than returning to find your parked car damaged and that is returning to not find your parked car. To help ensure your car is still where you left it when you return, give some consideration to theft protection. Always remove your keys and lock your car, no matter how short a time you are leaving the car. Many drivers have had their cars stolen from Service Stations as they go to pay for the fuel. It is illegal to leave a vehicle unattended without removing the keys and locking the vehicle. Consider the type of thief. If you have a steering lock, car-alarm or similar anti-theft device use it all the time, these deter joy-riders. Window etching will not deter joy-riders but may a professional car thief working in the reborn trade. But most importantly purchase a car with good theft protection. Many cars not only have excellent standard security which includes remote central locking and immobiliser but they also have as standard equipment a very expensive and advanced CD sound system, which maybe desirable to someone else. Try not to advertise to the world that your car has a CD player worth stealing. Don’t cover the car with the stickers of the Sound System manufacturer. Turn the CD player off or lower the volume several kilometres before your intended parking position. Be discrete and don’t attract unwanted attention. And again take the detachable face with you in its holder whenever you leave the car. Don't advertise your toys to the world Try and remove valuables from the car or at very least keep them out of sight. Never leave your licence, credit cards, address, home or work keys in the car either, the thief may pay you another visit. Don’t park then transfer expensive items in plain view to the boot. These theft prevention steps will not guarantee that your car will not be stolen, but they will ensure you are not a soft target, thus reducing the risk.

(Written by Joel Neilsen, Managing Director, Safe Drive Training)