Preventing Truck Theft: What You Can Do

By: Maraya Mullen
Submitted: 2007-06-27 21:13:41
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Every year, hundreds of air brake lock systems and other security measuresare rendered useless and proven ineffective by thieves.In 2005 for example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated that around $12 to $20 billion worth of cargo and equipment are stolen every year in the country.

And with expensive goods (electronics, cards, etc.) being transported on the road everyday and trucks becoming increasingly pricier, thieves that target trucks and tractors are not bound to slow down anytime soon.The only solution is to take preventive measures to protect your investment and cargo.Here are some basic tips you can follow to ensure you won’t fall prey to the many truck thieves that lurk around the parking lot:

• Never leave your key inside the ignition.You might be in dire need to use the bathroom, but believe me when I tell you that the few seconds it will take to remove the key and put it in your pocket is worth the discomfort.
  

• Take extra precautions before you travel by finding out which places along your route have high crime rates.Avoid these areas if you can, but if passing through them is an absolute imperative, then jus be doubly careful than you would normally be.
  

• Take alternative routes once in a while.This prevents thieves from being able to map out your routine and plan a robbery attack against you.
  

• When stopping for a meal, park your truck in a spot visible and accessible from where you will be sitting.It’s also best if you choose where you take your breaks and avoid stopping in restaurants or stations with a questionable reputation.
  

• Don’t leave a running tractor unattended.Doing this is like giving crooks an open invitation to rob you and drive away with your vehicle.
  

• Make it harder for thieves to steal your truck by putting protective bars on the passenger side window, the side that, according to reports, most thieves enter the vehicle from.

• Installing a vehicle protection device is one of the most effective way of preventing truck theft --just make sure your buy a reliable one. One of the most affordable and effective car protection devices today is the air lock security system. The security device prevents theft by blocking an air line from the air brakes. This means unless the truck driver deactivates the system, the vehicle will not move and your investment and cargo will remains safe.

Yes, you may have installed tracking device in your truck to let you know where it is at all times and you may fully trust the policemen in your town/city, but remember that an ounce of prevention is always better that a pound of cure.Take these safety precautions and keep your truck (and investment) safe.

Visit this site for more information on air brake lock systems.

Article source: Expert Articles