The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is joining the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in observing Vehicle Theft Prevention Month this July by calling attention to vehicle theft as a nationwide issue and urging vehicle owners to take preventive steps to keep their vehicles safe.
Vehicle theft is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States, disrupting millions of vehicle owners’ lives, stripping them of their security and mobility. Individuals who steal vehicles are also less likely to obey traffic laws, putting anyone walking, driving, or biking at an increased risk of crash and injury.
In 2024, 850,708 vehicles were stolen, representing a 17 percent decrease in vehicle theft totals from the previous year. Estimates show that approximately one vehicle is stolen every 37 seconds.
In 2024, according to the National Vehicle Theft Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were nearly 400 vehicles stolen in West Virginia, with the Ford F150 Series being a frequent target, with 50 thefts.
Summer months have the highest reported occurrences of vehicle thefts in the United States. The GHSP and NHTSA urges vehicle owners to take these steps to keep their vehicles, and any valuables inside them, safe at all times:
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Close and lock all windows and doors when parked.
- Hide valuables.
- Do not leave keys in the vehicle.
- Do not leave the area while vehicle is running.
- Consider purchasing extra protection for a vehicle if the manufacturer does not include an anti-theft system. These can easily be purchased online or in a store.
For more information on motor vehicle theft prevention, visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/vehicle-theft-prevention. For additional resources, visit NICB.org.
For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, visit highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.
