car stolen Archives - Comedy Defensive Driving®

An Unattended Car – A Thief’s Dream

Daun Thompson — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 15:09:18 +0000

It is so crazy cold outside that many of us are warming up our cars in the driveway before we head out to drop the kids at school and/or drive to work. After all, we don’t want to put an infant in a freezing car seat now, do we? So we leave the keys in the ignition and oftentimes the doors unlocked. Apparently automobile thieves are scouring neighborhoods, looking for that little puff of exhaust fog coming out of the car’s tail pipe. And, those crooks move in fast. Some say they only left the car running for a minute. And now they have your car and the keys to your home! We all know that you should never leave an unattended car running (unless, of course, there’s a body in the trunk that you need to dispose of, and someone to pin the blame on).

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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2015 Top Ten Most Stolen Cars

Daun Thompson — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 13:17:29 +0000

Thousands of cars are stolen in the state of Texas each year. And what are the odds that the three top stolen vehicles are all pickup trucks. The list has been released of the 2015 Top Ten Most Stolen Cars in Texas. And, honestly, the list hasn’t changed much in the last 4 years. But the Taurus is no longer on the list. That had to have been a mistake anyway. I rented one of those once and couldn’t get it out of 2nd gear. Why would someone steal one of those? Maybe someone left the keys in it. They do that in my home town in the Midwest. No one locks their cars. And they leave the keys in the ignition so they always know exactly where their keys are at. Wouldn’t you think that auto theft would be worse in a small town than it is in a large city? And, if so, that would explain why.

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

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Stolen Motor Vehicle

Daun Thompson — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 13:55:52 +0000

Did you know that, according to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) a stolen motor vehicle is reported every 44 seconds in the United States? My car isn’t on the list of the top ten reported stolen vehicles. I don’t know whether I should be relieved or insulted. But the Dodge Charger is number one. I find that interesting, since the police drive them now. Some are even unmarked Chargers in a variety of civilian-looking colors. Dark Blue, Black, White, Red, Burgundy, Silver, Pewter and, of course, good old black and white. The lights are in the front grill or the back tinted window of the car. Now, I’m not a criminal, but if I see a civilian in a charger, no matter the color, I slam on the brakes. It’s just a bad habit. I saw a pink Charger and I locked ‘em up, like a dope. It was probably just Mary K.
40-50% of vehicle theft is due to the driver either leaving their car running, unattended or leaving their keys in the car. If someone steals your car, chances are they are going on a joy ride. With high speed police pursuits, damages and other unimaginable possibilities occurring, insurance may not cover your car damages if the theft is due to your own negligence. You will also get a citation for leaving your keys in your car.
To prevent your car’s picture from showing up on a milk carton, here’s a few useful tips. Never leave your keys in your car. Even when you’re pumping gas. Close and lock all windows and doors when you park. Always park in well-lit areas. Parking garages are even better since they usually have surveillance cameras that are monitored by property security or by towing companies. And never leave valuables in view.
As for theft of outside parts, wheel cover locks and fuel door locks can be purchased at most part supply stores or online. July and August are apparently months that yield more vehicle thefts. So, getting into good theft prevention habits now will have you well prepared.
So, remember…. keys, hide and lock. Those three words can save you a lot of grief and will help to avoid these three words…bus, cab and expense.
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
Stolen Motor Vehicle – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Auto Theft… You Hold The Key

Lisa — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:56:19 +0000

According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, thousands of cars are stolen in the state of Texas each year. The top stolen vehicle? The Ford F150.In fact, the top 3 most stolen vehicles in Texas are all pickup trucks…in Texas?…go figure. Of the top ten most stolen vehicles, the Taurus comes in at number 9.That can’t be right.I’ve rented one of those at the airport. Couldn’t get it past 50mph on the turnpike.No one in their right mind would steal one of those…please don’t waste my time!

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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