March 10, 2010

Keep keys out of vehicle: Manitoba Public Insurance

Nearly 300 immobilizer-equipped vehicles were stolen last year in Manitoba because the keys were left in either the ignition or elsewhere in the passenger compartment, according to Manitoba Public Insurance claims data.

“All of these thefts were preventable,” said Donna Roed, manager of Manitoba Public Insurance’s auto crime prevention unit. “While an approved immobilizer is the most effective way to theft-proof a vehicle, vehicle owners need to be proactive and protect their keys. These protected vehicles cannot be stolen without the keys and thieves look for opportunities to obtain them.”

These immobilized vehicles were stolen after the owners had left their keys in the ignition, or left a running vehicle unattended, or stored keys within the glove box,  console or under the floor mats, explained Roed.

In addition to vehicles being stolen with keys in them, Manitoba Public Insurance claims data reported that another 114 vehicles were stolen after the keys were removed from the vehicle owner’s residence, purse,  jacket or left accessible at a party or bar.

“It’s critical that vehicle owners protect their keys and not leave them unattended,” said Roed. “Auto theft is a crime of opportunity. Making sure keys are not left in the vehicle or unattended are positive steps in preventing auto crime.”

The province’s mandatory immobilizer program for most at risk vehicles was implemented in 2006. Currently, nearly 400,000 vehicles throughout the province are equipped with a factory installed, or aftermarket, approved immobilizer.

Approved immobilizers are automatically activated once the key is removed from the ignition. When the ignition or steering column is attacked by an auto thief the immobilizer automatically shuts down the vehicle’s ignition, electrical and fuel systems, rendering the vehicle unmovable.

According to Manitoba Public Insurance data, auto theft in 2009 continued to decline with 919 fewer vehicles stolen in Winnipeg while 121 fewer vehicles were stolen in rural Manitoba.

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