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Consumer beware: Car theft rampant, often from driver error

Michael James

A motor vehicle theft occurs every 44 seconds in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And the largest percentage of cars are stolen for a surprising reason — driver error.

Between 40-50 percent of cars are stolen for the following reasons: keys left in the ignition in or on another location of a car; open or unlocked window; parking in a secluded area; valuables left in the car.

July and August are the top-two months for vehicle thefts in the United States and only about 52 percent of all stolen cars are recovered.

The top-10 cars stolen in the United States:

1. Dodge Charger
2. Pontiac G6
3. Chevrolet Impala
4. Chrysler 300
5. Infiniti FX35
6. Mitsubishi Galant
7. Chrysler Sebring
8. Lexus SC
9. Dodge Avenger
10. Kia Rio

The top 10 U.S. States with the most stolen vehicles

1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. New York
5. Illinois
6. Georgia
7. New Jersey
8. Maryland
9. North Carolina
10. Nevada

For information and safety guidelines to help prevent car theft, visit: CAR THEFT

Article Last Updated: August 7, 2013.

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