With South Africa's alarming hijacking statistics, car owners have to look at every avenue to ensure the safety of their cars.
Microdots
One deterrent is the relatively new microdot identification technology which essentially becomes your car's DNA. About 10 000 tiny microdots, less than 1mm in diameter, are sprayed with an adhesive over the interior and working parts of the vehicle, such as the wheels. Each microdot contains laser information with the VIN (vehicle identification number).
The microdots turn blue under UV light, so stolen cars become much easier to track.
"Carjacking syndicates cannot bypass more than 10 000 dots in a motor vehicle. It is impossible. So they will not be able to resell the car or parts to accredited dealers," said Datadot managing director Andy Blew.
"80 percent recovery rate"
"We have fitted 500 taxis with the technology and have an 80 percent recovery rate. More than 100 000 vehicles in this country now have microdot technology."
Toyota, Avis and Clarendon Trucking have all installed microdot technology and Nissan has signed a deal ensuring all its vehicles are equipped with Datadot.
Microdot technology has been accredited by Business Against Crime, the Vehicle Security Association of South Africa and the Vehicle Steering Committee.
According to a report released by Business Against Crime, more than 100 000 vehicles are stolen or hijacked annually in South Africa. These vehicles are reregistered, exported or chopped up for spares. Only 40 percent are recovered. Of those recovered, only 40 percent are returned to their owners, while 60 percent are either crushed or used by the state.
Graham Wright, Deputy CEO of Business Against Crime, said his organisation had supported microdot technology since it was introduced in South Africa five years ago. The technology originated in the US and was initially used to curb the illegal use of counterfeit gaming chips. Vehicle microdots were first used by an Australian company.