An estimated 90 000 vehicles, valued at about R9 billion, are stolen or hijacked every year in South Africa, with a recovery rate of around only 43 percent, according to Business Against Crime South Africa (Bacsa).
However, you can cut down the risks of falling prey to car thieves or hijackers, and some techniques involve new technology.
Dawie Buys, motor manager for the South African Insurance Association, says most new vehicles are factory-fitted with several security features.
“I would recommend that motorists with older vehicles install Vesa-accredited security devices or install a steering or gear lock to deter thieves.”
Gary Ronald, public affairs manager for the Automobile Association, says there is always a risk that vehicles will get stolen or broken into.
“If you are going to park in a public place, don’t leave valuables (inside), including items such as sunglasses,” says Ronald.
He advises motorists whose cars have been stolen to report the theft to the police straight away and provide as much information as possible, including a description of distinguishing marks or dents.
It is also important to inform insurers immediately and contact a tracking firm if a device has been fitted.
Ronald says motorists can make their vehicles more difficult to steal by installing visible safety devices such as steering and gear locks.
Christelle Fourie, managing director of MUA Insurance Acceptances, says that even when vehicles are recovered, identifiers such as vehicle identification numbers (VINs), engine numbers and licence numbers have often been removed, making it almost impossible to return the car to its owner.
“As a result, cars to the value of R1 billion are destroyed annually by the SAPS. Groundbreaking innovations in microdot technology could prove to be the answer in identifying and recovering stolen or hijacked vehicles and could result in reduced motor vehicle insurance premiums.
“A study conducted by Bacsa found that the recovery rate of cars with microdot technology is 91 percent.”
Fourie has welcomed impending legislation, due in January, to incorporate the compulsory use of microdot technology in all vehicles, and called on the Ministry of Transport to make sure the regulations are implemented.
The technology involves the spraying of new vehicles with thousands of 1mm diameter microdots onto a minimum of 80 different parts of the vehicle. Each microdot contains a microscopic 17-digit laser-etched VIN and personal identification number, which allows the vehicle to be traced back to the registered owner.
The microdots are visible only under ultra-violet light and through a magnified lens.
“Only one dot is required to trace the owner, whose details are registered on a national database,” says Fourie. “The microdots are applied both covertly and overtly, making it far more difficult for thieves to remove or conceal the microdots or strip parts of the car for resale.”
Once the microdot technology has been applied, the vehicle is fitted with a warning sign which acts as a visual deterrent to would-be criminals.
Microdot manufacturer DataDot Technology South Africa estimates that microdot-fitted vehicles are 50 percent less likely to be stolen than those that are not.
The South African Insurance Association provides the following general guidelines for anyone buying a vehicle:
-Never buy an unlicensed vehicle, or one without the registration certificate. Make sure the information – the VIN, engine number, make, model and colour – on both is the same. Spelling mistakes on the certificate suggest the likelihood of a fraudulent transaction.
-Ensure that the vehicle has a good-quality security device installed. Any Vesa-accredited fitment centre will check the system. If you have not complied with your insurance requirements for vehicle security, in the event of a claim you may have to pay additional excesses or even have your claim repudiated.
-Even cheaper and used vehicles can benefit from being fitted with a tracking device, supplied by a reputable firm. More than 75 percent of all stolen or hijacked vehicles fitted with recovery devices are retrieved by reputable tracking companies.
-Buy from reputable dealers who are members of organisations like the Retail Motor Industry or the Independent Dealers Association.
-Ask the AA or a trusted mechanic to do a check on a used vehicle before paying for it. At the same time, ask the AA to check the stamped VIN and engine number for any changes.
-If you’re in doubt, walk away. -Consumer Report