My parents live in a small town in the Midwest. They’re very cavalier about leaving their car parked in the driveway with their keys in the ignition and the windows down. Incidentally, they always know where to find their keys. I live in a large city where we would never even dream of leaving the keys in the ignition. Or would we? I do recall, in the past, running to the 7-11 to get milk. I left my dog in the car with it running and the air kicked on high, but the doors were locked. I thought I would only be in there for a minute, but someone wrote a check and I was in there forever! Who the heck writes checks anymore?

That’s why it is against the law to leave an unattended car running. If it is stolen, thieves will take crazy risks in it, damaging other property and putting other people in harm’s way. Police may be dispatched to chase down the crooks, putting their lives in danger and damaging their own vehicles in the pursuit. So, it just makes sense why not only leaving the car running, but just leaving your keys in the ignition are both against the law. And insurance companies may not cover any damages to your vehicle and the property that your vehicle damages in the pursuit.

Most cars come with a keyless remote for this reason. If someone does try to drive away in your car, unless the put the key into the ignition, it will stall when put into gear. If you have an older model car that does not have this feature, just save yourself some grief by never leaving your car running while it is unattended. Again, in the end, it may cost you more than just your car.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

An Unattended Car – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Almost half of all vehicles stolen had the keys left inside. Leaving keys in your car is not only stupid, but it is also illegal. If your car is stolen with the keys in it, your insurance company may not cover your loss. And you should never leave your car running, unattended. Cars are often stolen at convenience stores, gas stations or when an owner leaves the vehicle running to warm it up.

Texas has created a “You Hold The Key” program that you can access by going to https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/consumer-protection/auto-theft-prevention where you can find more information about what you can do to lessen your chances of being an auto theft victim. But, again, the main message they focus on is to never leave your keys in your car. Not even a spare set of keys.

And, sorry to leave you hanging. If you’re curious what other cars make up the top ten most stolen vehicles?
1) Ford Pickup
2) Chevrolet Pickup
3) Dodge Pickup
4) Honda Civic
5) Chevrolet Tahoe
6) Honda Accord
7) GMC Pickup (aha! A fourth pickup)
8) Chevrolet Impala
9) Toyota Camry
10) Ford Van

Until next week….

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

2015 Top Ten Most Stolen Cars – Comedy Defensive Driving

The post 2015 Top Ten Most Stolen Cars appeared first on Comedy Defensive Driving®.

Here in the states, you can purchase a dash-cam for as little as $70 and as much as thousands of dollars, depending on the features you require. Some have a number of functions, such as dual lens security cameras that face inside and outside of the car, as well as in-car video systems with night vision recording (just like Ghost Hunters, everything will be in a lovely glowing green). Some offer accident sensors that will turn the camera on in an impact or with a glass breaking sensor and built in GPS software to log the time of the incident (I would say “alleged” incident, but camera proof would confirm any wrong doing). The pricey ones even record at all angles, inside and outside of the car so you can film your own Paparazzi. “Take that you pesky Paparazzi.” (My sister called me when Princess Di was killed and told me she just didn’t understand why that big Italian opera singer would want to kill Princess Di. Ugh! I wish I was kidding.)

It would be terribly convenient to have a dash cam to catch someone breaking into your car. Or to make sure your teen driver or employee is doing the right thing behind the wheel. If they knew they were on camera, it may just spark a sense of accountability. Perhaps a dash cam would come in handy to prove a spouse’s affairs and indiscretions in court. Yikes! That’s it! I’m totally getting one!

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Dash Cam – Comedy Defensive Driving

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The post Stolen Motor Vehicle appeared first on Comedy Defensive Driving®.

What’s up with those Hide-Lock-Take signs? In this day and age, are people really that daft, that they would leave anything of value “visible” in their car in a parking lot? I suppose the answer is “yes.” Unfortunately, sometimes it’s the entire car that is snatched (one of my favorite films, by the way). I remember when I moved to Texas, nearly every truck had a gun rack visible for all to see, mounted in the back window. And when I lived in northern California, everyone had a wine rack mounted in the back window of their hybrid. Honestly, I don’t even leave a gum wrapper visible in my car because I’m totally into vehicle theft protection. But I highly doubt that any self-respecting thief would even want to break into my late model car. It’d be like the time I had my house broken into. They actually left a lot of really choice stuff…like my VCR and my two ton television that takes 3 people to lift. I was totally insulted.

But we should not only be concerned about having personal items taken from our vehicles. The more prevalent concern is having the entire vehicle stolen and vehicle theft protection. According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, thousands of cars are stolen in Texas alone, each year. And the number one stolen vehicle is the Ford F150. Go figure, in Texas, a pickup truck. And, almost half of those vehicles that are stolen is because someone left the keys in the ignition or even left it running. Both are a pricey fine due to vehicle theft.

Never leave your car running, unattended. Cars are often stolen at convenience stores, gas stations or when an owner leaves the vehicle running to warm it up. I used to take my dog with me wherever I would go. After all, he’s my best friend and doesn’t judge my driving skills. Sometimes I even let him sit on my lap and drive. And, he’s a much better driver, unless he’s been drinking. He gets drunk real easy too, because one beer is like seven to him. I would take him with me on quick errands, say to pick up milk at the mini-mart. I’d leave my car running with the air conditioning on. But I would lock the car. Thinking I would just be in there for a minute or two. And then, there’s always that person who writes a check and I’m in there forever because no one knows how to take a check anymore. Who the heck writes checks anyway? I didn’t realize that you could get a hefty fine for leaving your car running, unattended. Even if it’s locked. So my dog is spending more time at home these days. Ordering pay-per-view and getting pudgy.

So, don’t be an easy target. Don’t leave anything visible in the car when it’s parked. And don’t leave your keys in your car. Or you may be writing a check to your local municipality.

Until next week….

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist / Benevolent Thesbo

Vehicle Theft Protection – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Almost half of all vehicles stolen had the keys left inside.The “You Hold the Key” program has a simple message – never leave your keys in your car. Every year, thousands of cars are stolen because owners give thieves an easy target. Not to mention, leaving keys in your vehicle is illegal. Not only is it illegal to leave your keys in your unattended vehicle, but if your vehicle is stolen with the keys in it, your insurance company may not cover your loss.

And never leave your car running unattended. Cars are often stolen at convenience stores, gas stations or when an owner leaves the vehicle running to warm it up. A funny story (funny to me, sad to the guy it happened to) comes to mind.I know a guy who pulled into a mini mart in Fort Worth for a pack of smokes. It was mid-Summer and very hot out. So he wanted to leave his car running and the a/c cranking while he ran in.There were two cops leaning on their squad cars in the parking lot, having a chat.He pulled right between them.Thinking “what better place to leave my car running, unattended, but between two law enforcement officers”.He goes in, gets the smokes.Comes back out.Gets in his car.It’s not running.The keys are not in the ignition.The cop danges the keys in the window…and gives him a $325.00 fine for leaving his car running, unattended.End of story.

Before I was told that story, I used to leave my dog in the car with the a/c cranked, windows up, park brake on, doors locked…while I went on errands.Not like full-on grocery shopping.But, perhaps to 7-11 to get a gallon of milk.Thinking I’d be in there for two minutes, tops.And then someone writes a check and you’re in there for two hours.Who the hell writes checks anymore?Damn! So, I never knew it was against the law. But it just makes sense.

To combat this, they have created a link on their website to educate the public about what they can do to lessen their chances of being a victim http://www.txdmv.gov/protection/auto_theft.htm

And, I know you’re just dying to know what the top 10 most stolen vehicles are in Texas for 2010.Sorry to leave you hanging…

1 Ford Pickup, 2 Chevrolet Pickup, 3 Dodge Pickup, 4 Chevrolet Tahoe, 5 Honda Civic, 6 Honda Accord, 7 GMC Pickup, 8 Toyota Camry, 9 Ford Taurus, 10 Chevrolet Impala

Until next week. I’ll miss you. And, remember…you hold the key!

Daun Thompson

( Daun Thompson is a comedienne, artist, writer and lightning rod of reality )

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