In today's world, the beep of a car alarm activating has become a common sound for drivers parked in public spaces. We are constantly exploring new measures to keep our cars safely in their parking spaces and out of the hands of car thieves. It makes sense – after all, autos represent significant investments and are essential to many people's livelihoods. 

Fortunately, evidence indicates that we may be able to relax a little bit. Incidents of car theft seem to have dropped across the country for a number of reasons, making this an ideal time for wary motorists to reconsider their dream of car ownership.

Car theft bites the dust
The days of unwitting drivers returning to their parking spots to find their cars stripped or completely gone may be coming to a close. A recent article from The New York Times indicated that instances of auto theft have dropped exponentially in the past two decades. While one in every 50 New York City residents experienced a stolen car in 1990, today the numbers have plummeted to just one in 1,100 – a drop off of 96 percent. 

This is good news for motorists, for sure, but raises an interesting question of what exactly has caused the sharp decline in shady practices. 

Technology to the rescue
It's become a cultural truth in the 21st century that technology improves many aspects of our lives, and security is no exception. As cars have become more technologically advanced, so too have the measures we use to protect them, from the simple Club up to the GPS anti-theft system. One ingenious piece of auto protection fits right into the palm of your hand, The New York Times explained. Introduced in the late '90s and early into this century, engine immobilizer systems prevent cars from starting without the presence of a specific microchip present only in the ignition key. As a result of this technology, hotwiring – starting a car without a key by bypassing its ignition sequence – may become a thing of the past.

Bad for business
One important point to make is that this technology has hit the car thieving business as a whole. As The Washington Post indicated, more complicated anti-theft systems mean cars take longer to steal and come with a higher risk of being caught and prosecuted. Ultimately, swiping somebody's ride simply isn't good business anymore.

If you're looking for a high-quality used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team ready to help you afford the used vehicle that's right for you.