AUTO THEFT: A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR OPERATION

Antitheft guidelines are proposed to encourage sound motor vehicle titling procedures and to prevent "fencing" of stolen vehicles. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) effective in 1981 model year vehicles will help in identification of stolen cars and parts. Three anti-auto theft efforts are: The Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act of 1979; the special investigation units formed by some insurance companies; and a two-year experimental program piloted by the Ford Motor Company requiring VINs to be marked on six major automobile parts of Ford's 1980 Lincoln Continentals and Continental Mark VI's. The Department of Motor Vehicles in New York is using three specially equipped vans in a Federally funded program to detect possible auto theft involving the sale of rebuilt vehicles. Further legislation pending in New York includes an expanded vehicle examination program and tighter controls on businesses dealing in junk, salvage, and rebuilt vehicles. Ten safety precautions are listed for avoiding car theft.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1980-3

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 7-9
• Serial:
  • Traffic Safety Newsletter
  • Publisher: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Prevention; Theft; Vehicle identification numbers
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00391852
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-028 864
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM