Joe Temper should have known better. After all, he works for a large auto insurance company. It won't hurt to leave the key in the truck this once, he thought, as he filled his gas tank at a self-service gas station. But minutes later, as he was paying the money, he saw the truck being driven away.
In 2010, 1.6 million motor vehicles were stolen in the United States —one every 20 seconds. If present trends continue, experts predict vehicle thefts (盗窃) could be over two million every year by the end of the decade.
Vehicle theft is a common phenomenon, which has a direct effect on over four million people a year. The cost is astonishing.
Many police officials blame professional thieves for the large number of the thefts. It is a major moneymaker for organized crime. Typically, stolen cars are taken to pieces and the parts sold to individuals. But as many as 200,000 cars are smuggled (走私) out of the country every year. Most go to Latin America, the Middle East and Europe.
Only about 15 percent car thefts result in an arrest, because few police departments specially conduct in depth auto investigations. When thieves are arrested, judges will often sentence them to probation (缓刑), not immediately put them in prison because the prisons are overcrowded with violent criminals.
One exception is a Michigan program that calls for 92 police officers to work full time on the state's 65,000 car theft cases a year. Since 2006, when the effort began, the state's auto theft rate has fallen from second in the nation to ninth.
How can you protect your car? If you live in a high theft area or drive an expensive model, consider a safety system. It may cost anywhere from $ 25 to $ 1,000. Some systems work automatically - simply removing the key disables the fuel pump and the starter. When cars are equipped with such systems, thefts may drop by one third. In some states, you may be able to use a device that transmits radio signals, allowing stolen cars to be tracked by police.
What does the author think Joe Temper should be to blame for?
A.He should have equipped his car with a security system. |
B.He should not have his car refilled at the gas station. |
C.He should not have been so sure of himself.. |
D.He should have shut down the engine of his car. |
What is NOT a reason for the increase of car theft as mentioned in the passage?
A.Police don't give enough attention to car theft cases. |
B.More people parked their cars and left the keys inside. |
C.Measures and laws against car thieves are not effective enough. |
D.Car theft brings car thieves much money. |
It is obvious that the Michigan program .
A.has an effect on the whole USA |
B.involves the development of a new safety system |
C.involves the construction of larger prisons |
D.involves much work but proves to be quite effective |
What type (s) of safety system can help the police find a stolen car back?
A.The device that sends out radio signals. |
B.The device that disables the fuel pumps. |
C.The device that disables the starter. |
D.All of the above. |