vehicle theft rate

2011-10-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

In calculating the 2006 theft rates, NHTSA followed the same

procedures it used in calculating the MY 2005 theft rates. (For 2005

theft data calculations, see 73 FR 13150, March 12, 2008). As in all

previous reports, NHTSA's data were based on information provided to

NHTSA by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) of the Federal

Bureau of Investigation. The NCIC is a government system that receives

vehicle theft information from nearly 23,000 criminal justice agencies

and other law enforcement authorities throughout the United States. The

NCIC data also include reported thefts of self-insured and uninsured

vehicles, not all of which are reported to other data sources.

The final 2006 theft data show an increase in the vehicle theft

rate when compared to the theft rate experienced in CY/MY 2005. The

final theft rate for MY 2006 passenger vehicles stolen in calendar year

2006 increased to 2.08 thefts per thousand vehicles produced, an

increase of 12.4 percent from the rate of 1.85 thefts per thousand

vehicles experienced by MY 2005 vehicles in CY 2005. NHTSA is not

overly concerned about this increase in the overall theft rate. The

data has shown an overall decreasing trend in theft rates since CY

1993, with periods of increase from one year to the next. As explained

in the publication of preliminary theft data, if the final data, for

calendar year/model year (CY/MY) 2006 showed a second year of increase,

the agency would explore what could be the possible causes for these

elevations. The agency also welcomed comments on the cause for this

increase but no comments were received. Therefore, as indicated by the

publication of preliminary theft rate data, the agency will continue to

monitor this theft rate pattern and explore the possible reasons for

the elevation in theft rates experienced during MY/CY 2005-2006.

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