More cars are stolen on a Friday than any other day of the week, according to RAA Insurance, Australia.
Data from the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, of which RAA is a member, revealed that a total of 527 vehicles were stolen on a Friday in the 12 months to the end of September 2018. That’s an average of around 10 cars each Friday. The most common month for thefts was March.
“Having your car stolen is a major inconvenience and, if you’re not insured, a serious financial setback,” said RAA Claims Manager Hayley Cain. “That’s why we encourage all motorists to take precautions to reduce their chance of having their car stolen or broken into.”
Cain said the figures showed about two thirds of the 3,002 vehicles stolen in this period were for “short term use” – or joy riding – and the rest for “financial gain” such as accessing spare parts.
“It’s about opportunities and there are many more people parking in public while out and about on a Friday evening,” said Cain. “This might also explain why March – with all its associated events like the festival and supercar race – is the most common month for stealing cars.”
RAA provides the following safety tips to help prevent vehicle thefts:
- Park in a garage or carport whenever possible
- If you must park on the road by your home, leave your car in a well-lit area and preferably have an alarm fitted
- Install sensor lights in your driveway
- Always lock your vehicle, even if you’re only leaving it for a couple of minutes
- Remove items of value from sight, and use your car alarm if you have one
- If you don’t have a car alarm, a steering wheel lock can be an effective deterrent
- Don’t put all your valuables in the boot, as most trunks are easily accessible
