Many people assume that parking their car in their driveway ensures that it’s safe overnight and that there’s little chance of someone stealing it from under their nose. Some people believe they’d wake up if this happened or that no one could get into their car with the keys inside the house.
This is not true. In fact, the myth that your car is safe on your drive may be making your car vulnerable.
Driveway thefts are continuously on the rise. In 2023, 11% of all car thefts happened whilst the car was parked on the driveway. Driveways are also the most targeted location for vehicle break-ins, with 18% of break-ins occurring directly outside the home.
Keyless cars, such as the Range Rover Sport and the BMW 3 series, are twice as likely to fall victim to driveway theft. This is because thieves can utilise the proximity of your keyfob left on the kitchen table and your car in your driveway. This signal can be easily amplified by those who know how, leading to carjackers who can drive your car away without ever setting off the car alarm.
So what can you do to curb the rising cases of vehicle theft and to make sure your car doesn’t become part of the 11%? In this article we’ll break down some of the steps you can take to prevent driveway theft and how you can implement them.
Lock your vehicle
It goes without saying, but every time you leave your car ensure that the doors are locked and the engine is off. You should also double-check that every window is shut, especially if there’s a chance your child may have opened one in the back seat without you knowing.
Electronic devices can be used to block the signal from your keyfob, preventing your car from locking. Manually check that your doors have been locked before you walk away.
Do not leave your car running and unattended, even whilst trying to defrost it on chilly winter mornings. You make it easy for thieves to steal your car if you leave the keys in it, and insurers rarely cover instances where this happens.
Move your keyfob
Many high-end luxury vehicles come with keyless entry systems that open based on the proximity of your keyfob and the car. To prevent carjackers and thieves from abusing this system, keep your keyfob as far away from your driveway as possible. This means storing it in the furthest feasible room from your driveway.
To make it even harder for thieves to use the radio signals from your keyfob, keep it stored in a Faraday pouch. These pouches are easy to come by online, and work by blocking the signals from your keyfob. A metal tin, such as a biscuit tin, can work as a makeshift Faraday pouch in a pinch.
Install CCTV
Installing CCTV on your driveway can minimise the risk of both car theft and burglaries. Visible CCTV works as a deterrent for thieves, many of whom do not want to risk being caught on camera. You can increase the efficacy of this deterrent by including stickers or signs that indicate CCTV and by placing the cameras where thieves are bound to spot them.
CCTV can also provide you, and the police, with evidence should a carjacker still be determined to steal your car. This can help catch the perpetrator and track down your missing vehicle.
Fit in-car security locks
There are a variety of locks on the market that can be fitted inside your vehicle to make things difficult for carjackers, even in the event of a break-in.
These can include:
- Steering wheel locks
- Van deadlocks
- Pedal box
- Hook locks
- Wheel clamps
High-quality in-vehicle security can withstand even the most dedicated car thieves and, when coupled with other security features such as CCTV and security bollards, can guarantee the safety of your vehicle.
Security bollards
Installed at the end of your driveway or behind your parking space, security bollards are effective security solutions that work as a visible deterrent whilst physically preventing vehicle theft. Many thieves will not even attempt to steal your car if a parking post or security bollard stands in the way of them driving the vehicle off your driveway.
As security bollards are designed to withstand vehicle impact, they are amongst the best solutions to prevent driveway theft and are easy to install and operate. Parking posts are available in a range of models, allowing you to choose between foldable, telescopic, or removable posts based on your needs.
At Bulldog Bollards we are dedicated to finding the right security solution to fit the needs of our customers. With decades of experience behind us, we pride ourselves on our customer service and the high-quality products we install. All of our products are made here in the UK.
For more information on how security bollards can help you prevent driveway vehicle theft, or to find out which security post would suit your home, contact us today!