Despite automakers’ most novel schemes to make today’s cars more theft-proof, common sense is unfortunately still not among a model’s standard features. Witness the fact that a growing number of auto thefts are being caused by owners who leave the keys inside while parked.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau in Des Plaines, Ill., reports that 126,603 vehicles with the keys inside were stolen from 2012 through 2014, with the rate of such occurrences increasing from 5.4 percent of all stolen cars in 2012 to 6.7 percent in 2014.
“Stealing a vehicle is very difficult with today’s anti-theft technology and leaving the keys in the vehicle is an open invitation for the opportunistic car thief,” says NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle. “I’m sure the numbers are probably higher, because we are only able to determine the thefts where the car was recovered with the keys inside, or where someone admitted they left the keys in the car or the ignition.”
— Jim Gorzelany
© CTW Features