Residents of some cities in Kansas may be fined up to $125 for leaving their vehicles unattended while “warming up.” Although Spring is almost near, mornings are still a bit cool, and some car owners like the convenience of starting up their cars before heading off for work. This convenience could cost you a ticket. It is, however, not illegal to leave your car unattended if your using a remote starter, as opposed to leaving a key in the car. Police simply want to minimize the opportunities for thieves.
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According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, approximately $5.9 billion was lost to motor vehicle theft in 2016. The average dollar loss per theft was $7,680. Motor vehicles were stolen at a rate of 236.9 per 100,000 people in 2016, up 6.6 percent from the previous year.
Although there are major auto thefts happening throughout the country, it has been descending for decades, peaking in at more than 1.6 million, nearly 30 years ago, and falling 46 percent to 765,484 in 2016, based on FBI reports.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) credits law enforcement efforts, along with the creation of local and nationwide antitheft programs, innovative technology and insurance company-supported organizations like the NICB for contributing to the theft reduction. However, there was an uptick in thefts in 2015 and 2016, up by 3.2 percent and 6.6 percent respectively.
With the evolution of advanced technology, thieves constantly formulate new and sophisticated means of stealing autos. Tactics include acquiring smart keys, which eliminated hot-wiring to steal cars; switching vehicle identification numbers; and using stolen identities to secure loans for expensive vehicles. The number of vehicles stolen with the key or keyless entry device left inside by the owner went from 22 percent in 2015, to nearly 60,000, according to the NICB.
NICB reports that the Honda Accord was the most frequently stolen passenger vehicle in 2016, with more than 50,000 thefts among all of its model years. The Honda Civic ranked second, with just under 50,000 thefts. There was no change in these models’ ranking from the prior year. The NICB notes that older Honda Accords and Civics account for practically all of these thefts. Newer Hondas are stolen less frequently, because of improved anti-theft technology like “smart keys.” Among 2016 model year vehicles, the Toyota Camry was the most frequently stolen vehicle in calendar year 2016, with more than 1,000 thefts, trailed by the Nissan Altima.
Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.