TGIF… say car thieves
You're not the only one to love Fridays; an RAA study shows car thefts peak on Fridays.
Don't you just love Fridays? You're on the cusp of the weekend, it's the last day of work (for most people) and you're probably in a pretty good mood. Well, a pesky rogue might be about to ruin your weekend as Fridays are car thieves' favourite day to nick cars, according to data released by The Royal Automobile Association of South Australia (RAA).
Figures released by the RAA show that car thieves are at their busiest on the last day of a working week. After examining the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council's database in South Australia, 527 vehicles were nabbed on Fridays. This was more than any other day of the week. Surprisingly, crooks were most active between 4pm and 8pm.
Why are Fridays such a popular day with thieves?
Why Fridays though? RAA Claims Manager Hayley Cain gave an insight into a thief's thinking.
"It's about opportunities and there are many more people parking in public while out and about on a Friday evening," Cain said in a statement.
Cain implored car owners to take care of their vehicle and to take necessary precautions such as insurance.
"Having your car stolen is a major inconvenience and, if you're not insured, a serious financial setback. That's why we encourage all motorists to take precautions to reduce their chance of having their car stolen or broken into," Cain stated.
Cain shared some advice on how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of theft:
- Where possible, park in a garage or carport.
- When parking on a road, leave the car in a well-lit area. Always arm your alarm.
- Install motion activated lights on your driveway as a deterrent.
- Always lock your vehicle, even if parking for a brief period.
- Remove valuable items.
- Consider purchasing a steering lock.
- Resist the temptation to hide valuables in the boot, as car boots are easily accessible.
Cain explained that two-thirds of the cars stolen were merely for joy-rides. The remaining third were stolen to make some money by stripping the cars of parts.
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Picture: Shutterstock
