Do High Security Registration Plates prevent vehicle thefts?

Recently we had written about the Delhi Transport Department’s public notice directing people to immediately go in for High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) and colour coded stickers.

CLICK here to read report on High Security Registration Plates and colour coded stickers

Since the time HSRPs have become mandatory in the country, the theft of vehicles has only increased. HSRPs have not been a fool-proof method of deterring vehicle theft.

MECHANICAL LOCKS AND THEFT IMMOBILISERS

One can safeguard their vehicles with all kinds of mechanical locks from steering wheel locks, tyre locks, gear locks and many more ways and means. The vehicle market is also flooded with all kinds of remote locks and these anti theft alarms come with sensors that raise a loud sound when someone tampers with your car. You have modern vehicles coming with something call theft immobilisers. An immobiliser is an electronic security device fitted to a motor vehicle that prevents the engine from running unless the correct key is present. This prevents the vehicle from being "hot wired" after entry has been achieved and thus reduces motor vehicle theft. There are also modern anti theft electronic devices wherein if a thief is able to grab your car and drive it away, you can call up the call centre after filing a police report and the call centre will immobilise the car.

Several car manufacturers are offering in their cars such anti theft electronic devices wherein if a car is stolen it can be traced as well as immobilised. It comes as an OEM fitment and is usually offered in relatively top end variants. Almost all OEMs in the country today offer this service which is initially free for the first few years but thereafter it is charged as it requires a SIM card and the services of the OEM’s call centre.

Not only is your car traced with this app based device and security system, but you can also enjoy features like geo fencing, etc. Compared to all these highly sophisticated anti theft devices and technologies, the high security registration plates simply pale in comparison.

To give you an example, Hyundai Motor India offers its service, known as HyundaiBlueLink in cars like the Venue, Verna, Creta, Elantra and the Tucson models.

 The HyundaiBlueLink gives you a connected driving experience with an inbuilt SIM card which will also allow for remote monitoring of the vehicle’s security. Upon a Vehicle Burglar Alarm being activated, the owner will receive a notification that the vehicle has been stolen. The system also allows for live tracking of the vehicle, providing location information that will undoubtedly aid its quick retrieval. The owner also has the option of requesting the Hyundai call centre to immobilise the vehicle entirely. Is that not smart?

Motown India had a couple of years back also written about South Africa based Recoveri and its Microdot technology , a highly effective form of vehicle marking and powerful theft deterrent.

CLICK HERE TO READ REPORT ON RECOVERI MICRODOT TECHNOLOGY

MicroDot technology involves spraying thousands of the small dots, laser etched with a PIN (Personal Identification Number) number, linked to the Vehicle VIN Number. These small laser-etched dots contain nano-size (0.5 mm) particles that carry all the information. It becomes almost impossible for car thieves to dispose of the stolen car even after dismantling.  Four-wheeler vehicles like cars, trucks or buses require at least 10,000 microdots, while at least 5,000 such dots are needed for two-wheeler. The manufacturers would have to ensure that the dots remain readable for at least 15 years after fitment.

Retrofitting old cars which are about to end their lives (In Delhi, petrol vehicles have a life of 15 years, while diesel vehicles have a life of 10 years) with HSRPs and colour coded stickers do not make sense.

At Motown India, we are not really convinced by the security provided by HSRPs and neither do we understand the purpose served by colour coded stickers.

Main image credit: Designed by welcomia / Freepik

<a href="http://www.freepik.com">Designed by welcomia / Freepik</a>