Protect Your Keys

Thieves are opportunists and they are getting more creative and sophisticated in all kinds of theft. Most thefts are usually pre-planed and highly coordinated, so we all need to be properly trained and updated on theft prevention and security. If you are transportation company, it is good idea to start with your truck drivers, but keep in mind that your company will benefit if you provide security theft prevention training for all other employees in your company.

Advances in technology such as tracking, and monitoring are great, but technology alone is usually not enough for sophisticated thieves because they can use and quickly adapt to modern technology too. For best theft prevention, many successful transportation companies use technology and have established security culture within the company. Fundamental security practices and employees trained in awareness and theft prevention are the best way to improve efficiency, customer satisfaction, costs, and bottom line results.

Truck Drivers Should Execute Basic Safety Practices

Protect Information - Protect information about your freight and its movement. Avoid discussing a company's freight with other people, other drivers, or other employees in your company who are not in charge or directly involved in your freight and its movement. Never talk or share information about your freight and its movement with other drivers and people on the road, in social surroundings, or over the CB network or any other social network. Never leave documents containing details of your freight or freight movements in your vehicle.

Lock Your Vehicle - Always remove your keys and lock your vehicle, no matter how short a time you are leaving the vehicle. Many drivers have had their vehicles stolen from service stations as they go to pay for the fuel or buy something. Never leave a vehicle unattended without removing the keys and locking the vehicle. Never leave your license, credit cards, documents with your name or address (or any other important documents), home or work keys in the vehicle either, the thief may use them to their advantage.

Protect Your Keys - Since vehicle security technology has evolved over the past 10 years, it is extremely difficult to steal a vehicle without the keys. Vehicle thieves know that, and that is the main reason why they are looking to steal your keys lately. Some drivers will leave their keys everywhere, on the counters, in desks, lockers, or even in the console of their vehicle. This defeats the built in security features and allows thieves to simply use keys and drive away. Lock your vehicle whenever it's unattended, treat your keys like cash or other valuables, and protect them accordingly. Never leave emergency keys and important documents in the vehicle while it's unoccupied.
But, protecting your keys goes further than that. Though the trucking industry has not seen a major increase in RFID frequency keys and start buttons, like the smaller vehicles, having an RFID protector is still an option rather than a necessity, but a good option to have, should your truck come with this system.

Be Alert - Be aware of possible surveillance being conducted on you and your cargo. This includes taking note of vehicles parked around, and people around you. Immediately report all suspicious activity and/or theft, to management and law enforcement officials as criminals can act and move stolen goods quickly. Be aware of vehicles following you for extended period of time, and attempt to stop in well lighted areas when shutting down for the night. Being aware of your surroundings is key, here. Before going to sleep, scan the area, and take note of what doesn't belong. Lock your doors. If it's a sketchy place, and you're unsure, but you can't leave, use your seatbelts to keep the doors from being able to be opened, but also, be aware of this method. Should anything happen to your truck, smoke, fire, etc. this can keep you trapped in your truck if you're not used to unbuckling the seatbelt before you try to get out of your truck.

Companies Should have Policies in Place.

Lock Your Equipment - All equipment, no matter how secure your yard is, should be locked at all times when not in use.

Keys Should be Locked in a Lock Box - A lock box for your company vehicles should be mounted to a wall inside a place where your drivers have access, and codes should be changed when drivers are let go, or better yet, consider purchasing one that has an individual access code.

Use Surveillance Systems - Having dash cams in trucks, the ones reporting automatically to the office, is not so much an option these days, as it is a necessity, but don't skimp out when it comes to your yard. Having a good quality surveillance system, with high definition videos produced even at night can definitely help catch the people responsible for theft or damage to your property.