Automotive
6 Tips To Protect Your Vehicle From Being Stolen
Vehicles are costly, and their maintenance cost is often relatively high as well. None of us wants their car to be stolen.

Vehicles are costly, and their maintenance cost is often relatively high as well. None of us wants their car to be stolen. Since vehicle theft is quite common in urban areas, you should take some precautionary measures to ensure your car’s safety, so you don’t have to panic every time you park your vehicle somewhere.
In 2017, more than 773,000 vehicles were reportedly stolen, according to the FBI’s UCR (Uniform Crime Reports). Although car theft has declined in recent years, a motor vehicle is stolen every 40.9 seconds in the US, as reported by the Insurance Information Institute (III).
According to the III, thieves are now using more sophisticated techniques for stealing cars, such as using intelligent keys and swapping vehicle registration numbers to prevent detection. So, what can you do to prevent yourself from being a car theft victim? Keep a close eye on your car’s security and take precautions to keep it safe. Here are a few steps you can take to help keep your vehicle safe.
1. Install an Immobilizer or Vehicle Tracking System
When your vehicle is stolen, the police will use vehicle tracking systems to locate it. This is a standard protection feature on certain vehicles from some manufacturers. In other ways, it can be added as an aftermarket alternative or used as an option from the factory.
When the car’s engine is switched off, immobilizers disable three circuits (ignition, starter, and fuel supply) to start and run the vehicle. Only a specially coded microchip in the key you received when you acquired your vehicle will reactivate these circuits. Also, you will get a discount on your car insurance policy in some countries if you use standard immobilizers and vehicle tracking systems.
2. Invest in a High-Tech Dash Cam
While we use the cameras to monitor our homes, why can’t we use the same technique to keep our vehicles safe? Dashcams can capture high-quality videos both day and night. Featuring G-sensors, these specialized cameras can also be used as crime detectors that keep track of all unusual activities around your vehicle. The front camera swivels to give you a 360-degree view.
Vehicle monitoring and warning devices such as a high-tech dash cam capture suspicious movements or glass damage, prevent vandalism and assist in tracking the stolen vehicle.
If you hardwire a dashcam that features a parking mode into your car, it can sense motion or impact and save the video of the incident for you in a separate folder.
3. Remove Your Valuables or Keep Them Out of Sight
The valuables inside the car are the most common reason for break-ins. Since cars are easy to trace, stealing one is more complex than you would expect. But what about those small items you left in the car? Thieves can easily hide them into a small bag or pocket and walk away. That is why it is essential not to have so many things in your car or take what you already have inside with you once you exit the vehicle.
If you can’t hold things out of your vehicle, covering them is the next best option. Before breaking into the car, thieves would want to know what they’re stealing and make sure it’s valuable. Anything from backseat bags to a jewellery item hung on the rearview mirror will draw their attention.
If you cover the things, thieves may still notice that there is something in the vehicle, but they will not know what is inside, and therefore, it’s less likely that they will take a chance in this situation. To hide things out of their reach, you can cover them with a towel or blanket or place them in the trunk.
4. Make Sure Your Car has a Steering Wheel Lock
One of the most efficient and straightforward methods to stop car thieves is to install a mechanical device that can lock the steering wheel. A steering wheel lock does not discourage a committed robber, but most thieves want easy prey. A steering wheel lock can persuade a vehicle thief to move on to a less labour-intensive task.
If you ever decide to purchase a steering wheel lock or other vehicle protection system, make sure to inform the insurance provider. Many insurance companies, as mentioned, provide premiums on these vehicle security systems, meaning you might save a lot of money over time. There are a few other security options for your vehicle to save money on auto insurance as well.
5. Park Your Vehicle in Well-Lit Areas
To escape the attention, breaking into a vehicle and taking things from inside must be achieved fast. Most auto thieves work on a second-by-second basis, getting in, back, and away from the car before you even notice they’re there. Deterring criminals is easy if your car is parked in a well-lit area or on a busy street. On the other hand, It becomes much easier for criminals to break into your vehicle if you have parked it in the shadows.
Park your car in a garage if you can because it’s the safest possible location for your car. Or, you can park it in a monitored parking area where it will also remain safe from break-ins.
6. Lock the Doors of Your Vehicle
While it might seem quite obvious, many drivers won’t lock their vehicles, especially when it’s parked on a quiet street or in a parking area of their workplace. A thief might be scoping out the neighbourhood, regardless of how low the crime rate has been in your area. An unlocked car would provide him with easy access as well as a quick escape down the lane.
Therefore, make it a rule to lock your vehicle when you switch off its engine. While it may take some extra few seconds to push the button on the keychain, it will be a time well spent for the security of your car.
Automotive
7 Safety Tips for Ride-Hailing Users
The following tips are essential for safety when using a ride-hailing service: Check on the reviews and ratings of the ride-hailing company.

Most people opt to ride-hail in the current generation because the service has proven efficient and effective in transporting people from one place to another. However, ride-hailing could incur some unwanted incidences as far as security is concerned. There have been reported abduction, rape cases, robbery, and death of ride-hailers, amongst others.
These cases are prone to occur if the ride-hailers are reluctant to verify their drivers’ identities. The latter makes it easy for the drivers to commit crimes without suspicion. Therefore, ride-hailers must be careful before boarding their rides by verifying that the ride drivers are who they expect them to be.
The following tips are essential for safety when using a ride-hailing service:
1. Check On The Reviews And Ratings Of The Ride-Hailing Company
There is usually a comment section for the users to leave behind their ride experience and ratings after every ride for most ride-hailing apps. The most reviewed and best-rated companies are sure enough to offer quality services. Over the years, there have been many companies you can choose from. Firms such as mobility SaaS Spare Labs and similar ones have made it easier for investors to develop and launch ride-hailing services.
Due to the many options available, going through the reviews provided ensures you’re requesting a reputable ride service. If the driver has many negative reviews, it’d be best to avoid that ride because you’ll most likely have the same experience.
2. Request Your Ride In A Safe Place (Preferably In Public)
In most ride-hailing apps, one can quickly identify the location of various ride drivers based on the proximity they are from your site. You can choose the driver to pick you up at your preferred location with that information. It is advisable to place a pick-up location in an open place to ensure your safety.
3. Verify With Your Rider
Asking your rider to identify you is an essential safety tip as this will help assure you if the rider is the one you were expecting. If the rider can identify you by your name, you can be confident that you are safe onboarding the ride. If the rider cannot identify you by your name, you should avoid boarding that car and communicate with the ride service provider for any suspicious acts.
In most ride-hailing apps, the rides are usually identified by details such as the make of the car, the color, license plate, name, and photo of the driver. You should confirm that the information on the app matches that of the ride when it arrives.
4. Avoid Disclosing Personal Information
Avoid sharing your details with the driver at all costs. If there is a need to communicate, you should do so through the app. Desist from sharing information such as your other names, social media accounts, or physical address. It is wise to consider being dropped at a safe distance from your destination.
Thanks to technological advancements, you can make online payments. Thus, you’ll avoid disclosing personal information such as your phone number.
5. Make A Point To Inform Your Closest Associate Of Your Location
This tip will help to track your location and monitor your movement. It is a safety measure to account for your whereabouts. You can send the driver’s details to a close friend or family member to make it easy to track your ride.
It is terrible news for anyone with ill intentions to be under close watch. This is because they know that they would easily be caught if they committed a crime. If they are culprits, they will be hostile or rebel if you inform them that it is tracked. Therefore, it is wise to tell the driver that the ride is followed and observe their reactions. You can also make a call and inform your closest associate that you are now boarding the ride and you’ll be on your way.
6. Make A Wise Choice On Where To Sit
Most ride-hailing services say that sitting at the back seat enhances your safety than sitting at the co-driver seat. That is because there is a great distance between the ride-driver and the passenger. However, sitting at the co-driver seat comes in handy as it enhances a clear view of the driver and that of the path you’ll be riding on.
However, situations and vehicles may vary. It is advisable to take a seat that has a vast distance between you and the driver. Also, be cautious and consider it a warning if the driver demands that you take a specific seat.
7. Check To See That The Child Locks Are Not Engaged
When you enter the ride, please make a point of opening the door immediately after closing it. If the door does not open, make a fuss about dropping something you need to pick. Once out of the car, run to safety and request another ride.
Conclusion
There is a famous phrase that states, ‘safety first.’ Most people overlook these essential tips in guaranteeing your safety while ride-hailing. Be on the lookout for such tips next time you are ride-hailing.
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