As the cold weather arrives in Central Alberta, Red Deer RCMP is reminding drivers to keep a close eye on their vehicle if they chose to leave it unoccupied.
In a press release, police say that about 33 per cent of vehicle thefts occur while a vehicle is idling or unoccupied.
“Vehicles left running and unattended present a crime of opportunity for criminals. It takes mere seconds for a thief to drive away in a vehicle that has been left unlocked and running,” the release states.
RCMP have provided several safety tips for drivers this winter:
-Never leave keys in an unlocked, unoccupied vehicle.
-Avoid idling an unoccupied vehicle.
-Use a steering wheel lock to deter thieves.
-Never leave spare keys or garage door openers in or around your vehicle.
-Never leave children or pets in an idling vehicle.
-Never leave valuables inside your vehicle where passerby can see them.
-If you leave your vehicle registration and insurance in your vehicle, hide it in a location that a thief would be unlikely to find.
-Install an anti-theft system in your vehicle if it doesn’t have one. Thieves are reluctant to steal vehicles if they can be recovered quickly.