A motor vehicle is stolen every 46 seconds in the United States. What you need to know: https://t.co/UWjcBVmRLQ pic.twitter.com/YZqDW0MfmQ
— NHTSA (@NHTSAgov) July 17, 2017
According to the NHTSA, a vehicle is stolen every 46 seconds in the United States, and most of the time, the car's owner could have done something more to prevent the theft.
You may believe your car won't be stolen, because it's not an expensive sports car or luxury model. In fact, the most commonly stolen vehicles are popular affordable cars, like the Nissan Altima, which was one of the top 10 most stolen vehicles of 2014. Even relatively safe communities like Richmond can be targeted.
Summer is the hottest time of the year for car thieves, when drivers are more likely to leave their windows rolled down. July and August are the two most active months, and it's no coincidence they are also the warmest months of the season. A dedicated thief can smash a window to steal a car (or valuables inside, like a purse, radio, airbags, GPS system, laptop, or phone), but most want to avoid looking suspicious, and choose vehicles that are easier to get into.
The NHTSA recommends you close all windows, lock all doors, never leave keys inside the car, and park in a well-lit area to reduce your chance of being targeted.
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