Strategies to protect your business from vehicle theft

Commercial truck theft is a serious problem that affects the transportation industry and the economy. According to CargoNet’s 2022 data, events that involved the theft of at least one heavy commercial vehicle such as a semi-truck or semi-trailer increased by 17% year-over-year. Events that involved the theft of cargo increased by 20% year-over-year. The average value of cargo stolen in an event was $214,104. 

Another source of data on commercial truck theft is the California Highway Patrol (CHP), which publishes an annual report on vehicle theft facts. According to the CHP, 5.6 percent of all vehicle thefts in California in 2020 were commercial trucks and trailers, and the recovery rate for these vehicles was 81.4 percent. The CHP also noted that Freightliner was the most frequently stolen brand of commercial trucks, followed by International and Kenworth.

Commercial truck theft is not only a loss for the owners and operators of the vehicles, but also a potential threat to public safety and national security. Stolen cargo can be used for illicit purposes, such as smuggling, terrorism, or counterfeiting. Moreover, stolen trucks can cause accidents or damage to infrastructure if driven recklessly or abandoned. Therefore, it is important for the industry and the authorities to work together to prevent and combat commercial truck theft, using data-driven strategies and technologies.

FleetUp is here to help. Last year FleetUp announced a number of new industry-leading technologies to provide comprehensive cargo security. FleetUp has also been working diligently on vehicle security. Here are a few advanced vehicle theft-protection features that FleetUp offers.

1. State-of-the-art GPS lets you stay on top of your operation and fleet. Updates vehicle location every 10 seconds. Use trip replay data and/or live GPS monitoring to track your vehicle.
2. FleetUp’s Protection Mode detects suspicious movement and alerts you if the vehicle moves during non-working hours. 
3. Dynamic geofences can be placed around a job site, headquarters, or risky area. Get alerts the moment the vehicle goes in or out of these locations.
4. Remote engine starter shutoff aids authorities in catching criminals and recovering your vehicles.

In addition to FleetUp products and services, there are a few other things you can do to protect your business from the increase in commercial vehicle theft; here are a few tips you can follow:

• Park your vehicles in well-lit, secure, and monitored areas. Avoid leaving them unattended or running in public places.
• Install anti-theft devices on your vehicles, such as alarms, and steering wheel locks.  These can deter thieves or help recover stolen vehicles faster.
• Mark your vehicles with your company name and logo. This can make them more identifiable and less attractive to thieves.
• Keep an inventory of your vehicles and their contents. Record the make, model, year, color, license plate number, VIN number, and any distinguishing features of your vehicles. Also keep track of the equipment and cargo inside your vehicles and their serial numbers if possible.
• Report any suspicious activity or theft attempts to the police. If your vehicle is stolen, notify the police and your insurance company as soon as possible.

Commercial vehicle theft is a serious problem that affects many businesses. Take some of the necessary steps to prevent vehicle theft before it affects your business.