Vehicle Security

While Driving

  • Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front of you at stop lights in case you must pull away quickly.
  • Keep your car in gear while stopped at intersections in order to avoid a dangerous situation if necessary.
  • Keep doors locked and windows rolled up while driving.
  • Always be aware of pedestrian traffic around your vehicle.
  • Don't pick up hitchhikers under any circumstances.
  • If you think someone is following you, drive to the nearest police or fire station, open service station, or other open business to get help.
  • If you often drive at night, or alone, consider a CB radio or cellular phone to make it easier to summon help in an emergency.
  • Make sure your vehicle is in good operating condition and that you have enough gas to get to your destination.
  • If someone is threatening you with a weapon, give up the vehicle — it's not worth your life.

Park Carefully

  • Park your vehicle in bright, visible areas with lots of people around.
  • Don't park your vehicle next to vans or campers as they block your vision.
  • Turn wheels sharply toward the curb when parking, this makes it extra difficult for thieves to tow your vehicle.
  • If possible, park your vehicle in a lot where you don't have to leave your keys. If you have to leave your keys with a parking attendant, leave only the ignition key.
  • Don't leave a vehicle in unattended public parking lots for an extended period. A car is five times more likely to be stolen from an unattended lot than from the street or attended lot.
  • Remember, parking garages will protect your vehicle from the weather but not necessarily from thieves.

When Returning To Your Vehicle

  • Have someone accompany you to your vehicle in unfamiliar, dark, or isolated places.
  • Have your car keys in hand.
  • Check in and around your vehicle before entering.
  • Lock Up.
  • Lock all doors and roll up all windows whenever you leave your vehicle unattended.
  • Be sure vent or wind-wing windows are shut tight and locked.
  • Lock the trunk or tailgate.
  • Keep the vehicle registration in your wallet or purse, not in your vehicle.
  • Remove garage door openers from the vehicle.
  • Never leave your keys in an unattended vehicle, even while running a quick errand.
  • Keep car and house keys on separate key chains.
  • Never attach a tag with your name and address to your key ring. If the keys are lost or stolen, the tag will lead the thief directly to your vehicle and your home.
  • Don't keep an extra key hidden anywhere on the vehicle.

Vehicle Burglary

  • Preventing thieves from breaking into your vehicle to steal valuables is very difficult. If you want to keep it, don't leave it in your car.
  • If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, never leave them in plain sight. Consider detachable cellular phones and stereos, then remove them whenever you are not in the vehicle.