Car theft has always been very common in all countries. And with the advent of new technologies, new security measures have been added to cars to make it more difficult to steal them.
But most of those measures are electronic, and as thieves also improve their technological knowledge, they are able to keep up with and thus continue to steal today's modern cars, despite their electronic protections.
In Spain around 300 cars are stolen every day, and I have read that something similar happens in the USA and that it costs insurance companies about 4 billion dollars a year.
To try to "solve" this problem, some researchers from the University of Michigan have developed an electronic system that blocks the current from the battery to the motor, and is controlled by means of a keyboard to which an access code must be entered for the car to function.
With all due respect for the work of these nice people, I believe that the approach to the problem is wrong. Because they have developed an electronic system to protect the electronic system of the car. That is, more of the same.
When I have seen this news I remembered the simple anti-theft systems of many years ago, based on a chain and a padlock, or an anti-theft bar placed on the steering wheel.
I believe that the simplest is what works best, and these systems, apart from physical protection, also have psychological protection, because when the thief sees them placed in a car, the most normal thing is to give up his intention and try to steal another car where he thinks it is easier for him to do so.
Technology is all very well, but only when it is necessary. The simpler the mechanisms, the less they cost and the fewer problems they cause.
And we must never forget the expression “KISS”: Keep It Simple Stupid
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