According to the FBI, over a million cars are reported stolen each year, and according to the National Highway Traffic Association, those stolen vehicles result in roughly 30,000 police chases which in turn cause 300 deaths. All of those numbers are grim, but so are the financial realities of what a stolen car does to your insurance. Either your rates will increase, or you'll have to spend long hours fighting to get the money you deserve, and neither option is terribly attractive. It's a no-brainer, then, that security and anti-theft devices are a must-have, but did you know that General Motors' OnStar system is one such feature?
Originally introduced as emerging technology in October, 2007, the OnStar service in question is called Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, and it represents just one facet of the services stolen vehicle recovery methods. It works by allowing OnStar personnel working in tandem with the police to send a signal to a stolen vehicle, causing the engine to gradually reduce power until the car, truck or SUV comes to a safe stop. At that point, the GPS locator part of OnStar can be used to track the location of the stopped vehicle, if that wasn't already accomplished.
Chet Huber, president of OnStar has this to say about his service: "From its inception, the motivation behind OnStar has been the safety and security of our subscribers and others on the road. Every service we add builds on this original promise. The Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service will allow our subscribers added peace of mind by possibly preventing their vehicle from being used as an instrument of harm if it happens to be stolen."
The NHTSA also likes this use of the system that is often discounted as mere entertainment. Nicole R. Nason, the administrator of NHTSA says, "We applaud innovations such as the kind GM is embracing that will make our roads better, our passengers more protected and our drivers safer."
OnStar's Stolen Vehicle Slowdown isn't yet available, but buyers can expect to see it first offered on 2009 model year Chevrolets, which brand will represent roughly 60% of all vehicles so equipped. Law enforcement officers are already anticipating the technology, however. According to David Hiller, national vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, "We look forward to having technologies like Stolen Vehicle Slowdown available to aid our officers in apprehending suspected car thieves and keeping our officers, highways and citizens safe."
OnStar has already been of assistance to police and other law enforcement officers since its inception in 1996, and the addition of the Vehicle Slowdown feature merely makes it more robust. It also makes it a true anti-theft device, so be certain to ask your insurance company about any related discounts.
Computer Anti Theft Device
This is a good checklist before leaving your home empty or for beefing up your protection against theft:
Study your house from the street, and look for any valuables that may be visible from the street. Don't give thieves a reason to show up.
Before leaving for any length of time, ensure that all windows and doors are locked, including the door to your garage. Many home invasion robberies come through garage doors and inner doors to the houses. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate.
Place a piece of wood or metal in the track of any sliding doors to prevent opening.
Don't leave your house in darkness when you're away, create a sense of activity by using timers on lights, radios and televisions.
Install low-voltage lighting outdoors to keep your surrounding yard well lit. Install motion detectors in dark areas along the sides and back of house to alert you of any intruders.
Suspend your newspaper delivery while you're away and ask your neighbor to collect your mail. You may even ask them to park in your driveway while you're away.
Never leave a message on your answering machine that says you're on vacation.
Keep any shrubbery near your walkway or entrance trimmed; removing any possible hiding places. Think about planting cactus or rosebushes under windows that may be especially vulnerable.
Advise your neighborhood watch that you'll be away.
Ensure your security system is activated when you leave.
Etch your name on all electronic equipment to serve as a deterrent as well as assisting police in the recovery your property. It's more difficult to sell stolen property that has the owners name on it. Make a video tape of your possessions and record the serial numbers.
Get a safe, not just for your jewels, but for important paperwork as well. Identity theft is a crime that's on the rise and you want to minimize any availability to your personal records.
The more you can do to deter an intruder, the better your chances are that your home will not be chosen as a target. Studies have shown that if it takes a burglar more than four or five minutes to break into a home, they'll move on. If you increase their vulnerability by adding a well-lit area or a barking dog, that minimizes your risk again.
Both Rob Parker & Doug Jones are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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