Drivers have to be aware of many issues when they're on the road, but the problems don't end when their car is parked. Vehicle thefts are a very real problem, and motorists should be taking steps to prevent this problem from arising. This even extends to holidays. A recently released study from the National Crime Information Center and the National Insurance Crime Bureau looked at trends in stolen vehicle reports across 11 major U.S. holidays and celebrations in 2012. 

According to the data, the worst day for thefts was New Year's Day. More than 2,220 cars were reported stolen Jan. 1, which edged out days like Labor Day, New Year's Eve and Memorial Day. However, this still was not as bad as other days throughout the year. There were 64 other dates that had more vehicles stolen, with the highest numbers recorded June 1, July 23 and Aug. 1. 

The best holiday with regard to vehicle thefts was Christmas, when only 1,432 cars were reported stolen. That was just ahead of Valentine's Day and Thanksgiving, which were the next-lowest days on the list. The Dec. 25 holiday boasted the lowest car theft total of any day in 2012, holiday or otherwise. 

In total, the number of vehicles stolen on the 11 holidays in 2012 reached 21,325. That is a 2.5 percent increase over 2011, when 20,800 automobiles were reported stolen on the same days. 

Whether you find yourself the victim of a car theft or simply want to take preventative measures to avoid the situation, you should consider heading to NJ State Auto Auction. The lot boasts hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, many of which offer advanced technology and great features that could enhance your driving experience.