In 2022, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in the United States — and about half of those thefts were due to driver error. To help drivers keep their vehicles safe, NHTSA is continuing its annual Vehicle Theft Prevention Campaign during July – National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.
NHTSA urges you to take several common-sense steps to prevent your vehicle from becoming a statistic. First and foremost, take your key. Never leave it in or on your vehicle. Close and lock all windows and doors when leaving the vehicle and park in well-lit areas if possible. Also, don’t leave any valuables in plain sight. Thieves are also looking not only to steal whole vehicles but are also interested in parts.