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During the Christmas period, we use our cars a lot. Whether that’s to do a festive food shop, visiting the shops to buy gifts, or seeing family and friends to celebrate the festivities.
In fact, there will be an estimated 29.3 million journeys made in the UK during the run-up to Christmas this year.
During these journeys, we can find ourselves packing up a lot of valuable items, such as jewellery, clothing, and gifts to give to our loved ones. However, the team here at Dick Lovett want to issue a warning to Brits packing their cars this Christmas, as you could be at risk of car jacking, or in winter, ‘frost jacking’.
‘Frost jacking’ is the term used to describe when thieves steal cars that are left running and unattended during the winter months. This often happens when people start their cars to warm them up or defrost the windows and step away, assuming it’s safe when it isn’t. Due to this risk, our team advises all drivers to not leave their cars running when they aren’t present.
However, besides the risk of frost-jacking, leaving your engine running on a public road violates codes 98 and 107 of the Road Vehicles Regulations 1986, as well as rule 123 of the Highway Code, and can result in fines ranging from £20 to £80 - so you shouldn’t be doing this in a public area at all.
But, with unpredictable weather, we know that many drivers across the country will be warming up their cars and taking a step away with the belief that their car is in a safe place. Due to this, car safety in winter - as well as throughout the whole year - is crucial.
3 ways to keep your car safe from frost jacking this winte
Undoubtedly, the festive season brings an increased risk of theft, as cars often contain valuable items like gifts and electronics that can be targeted by thieves. As such, we've shared 3 tips to keep both your car and belongings safe from frost-jacking this winter. Take a look below:
1. Never leave your car running unattended
Leaving your car running while unattended, even for just a slight minute, creates the perfect opportunity for thieves to strike, and they can jump in and drive away in seconds - sometimes without you even knowing.
If you do need to warm up your car or clear the frost off your windows, stay inside the vehicle while it runs. Thieves can bypass locks or break windows quickly to gain access if you’re away, even with the doors locked.
If you have an electric vehicle, you may be able to safely warm your car without having to leave the house. Pre-conditioning is a function that many EVs have that allows drivers to warm or cool the interior of their vehicle before driving.
Pre-conditioning is usually activated via the EV’s connected smartphone app or the car's computer system. This allows you to set a schedule in line with your usual travel times and set the car to an optimum temperature without having to go out to your vehicle, lessening the risk of frost-jacking theft.
2. Lock your car at all times
It’s crucial to lock your car doors even if you’re just stepping away for a moment. Many frost-jacking incidents occur when people leave their car running in their driveway, assuming it’s safe and secure, but you can never be too sure.
More than often, thieves will patrol the streets looking for easy opportunities for car jacking, so don’t make it easier for them.
3. Park in well-lit and visible areas
Whether you’re at home, at work, or running errands, always choose parking spots that are well-lit and in clear view of others, as thieves are less likely to target cars in visible areas where they could be seen.
If you are parking in a public area, it may also be wise to park somewhere with CCTV in operation, which can further deter thieves from car jacking with the fear of being caught on camera.
