Tracking a big crime fighter

The crime stats show the theft of vehicles has decreased by 1.8%. However, this amounts to only 299 cars. Some 16 026 vehicles were stolen during the last financial year.

On average, almost 44 cars are stolen every day in South Africa.

As a result, the tracking and telematics industry continues to grow significantly, as it provides one of the best defences against the burgeoning criminal industry in the country.

Legratron Electronics managing director Itumeleng Matshego says much technology and development has gone into combating vehicle theft in South Africa.

“The industry has progressed to the extent that successful recoveries do not only depend on the driver informing us that their vehicle has been stolen or hijacked.

“Instead, monitoring of your normal driving behaviour can immediately send alerts when the system determines that a potential hijacking has occurred.

“If the system detects a change in driving style, an alert is sounded.

“Additionally, we make use of geo-fence technology to determine when a car enters a high-risk area or when the vehicle moves outside of pre-defined areas.”

Insurance companies have acknowledged the potential of tracking units.

“Many make it mandatory. Legratron works with numerous insurers who provide various benefits including premium reductions to individuals who have tracking units.”

As vehicle telematics becomes more advanced, it becomes more difficult for criminals to evade the tracking and recovery of their targeted vehicles.

“An unfortunate side effect of this is that people are increasingly being taken with their vehicles. What should you do if this happens?

“We have taken steps to discourage this.

“We ensure people do not know where their tracking units are installed.

“Despite our best efforts, however, a guarantee can never be provided.

“The important thing is to know what to do and how to respond. There are various anti-hijack courses on the market that could be life-saving.”

Telematics has had a major impact on the theft of vehicles in South Africa.

“Cars are recovered every day and should you ever be hijacked, yours could be one of these,” says Matshego. – Own Correspondent