Do Americans lock their cars?
Discussion
If you see some of the $#!* that some people drive over here, you would leave it unlocked too hoping for someone to nick it...
...However, most drivers of nicer vehicles do lock them, roll windows, etc. Here in Central Florida, however, if you wish to avoid thrid degree burns it is advisable to leave your windows open a bit (Oh yeah and don't be like my wife and order a black Jaguar S-Type with black interior)
ErnestM
...However, most drivers of nicer vehicles do lock them, roll windows, etc. Here in Central Florida, however, if you wish to avoid thrid degree burns it is advisable to leave your windows open a bit (Oh yeah and don't be like my wife and order a black Jaguar S-Type with black interior)
ErnestM
Despite all the limp d1ckery that exists within Albion against our rather splendid cousins across the pond, the fact is that the answer to the query depends on exactly where in the USA one resides.
I have relatives in Arizona who simply don't worry about human related crime.
Read into that what you will; suffice it to say, I thoroughly support the H.Callaghan school of policing.
Know what I mean, punk?
I have relatives in Arizona who simply don't worry about human related crime.
Read into that what you will; suffice it to say, I thoroughly support the H.Callaghan school of policing.
Know what I mean, punk?
viper said: makes me laff that there is a handle inside the boot on some cars to release the tailgate just incase you get kidnapped, only in America......
I think that's for children who crawl inside playing hide and seek, and then get stuck in there. Latest cars also have sensors that turn the lights on inside the boot if a "warm body" is detected. I think it's a good idea, especially in family cars. Guess you don't?
faisalkhan said:
I think that's for children who crawl inside playing hide and seek, and then get stuck in there. Latest cars also have sensors that turn the lights on inside the boot if a "warm body" is detected. I think it's a good idea, especially in family cars. Guess you don't?
So, how would kids get inside the boot to play hide and seek anyway? They would need to get the car keys first, Then be old enough to know how to use them and old enough to go outside without mummy or daddy knowing. They wouldn't play hide and seek whilst the car was moving because they should be wearing seatbelts, and what's the point of hiding in a car full of people anyway? Even if they did, the mechanism to release the boot wouldn't be a good thing to grab hold of at 40mph!, and I think the parents would notice they were in the boot before long.
Ahhhh I see, were back to the old 'not locking car' thing again.
So, some american cars have internal boot releases because parents don't lock their cars, and american kids prefer hiding in the boot of a car to the conventional wardrobe, understairs cupboard or under the bed.
Brit in US
I think theft from the driveway of a car is less common here, dogs will start barking, and many people own guns.
People are concerned about carjacking, car being stolen at a red or just as you getting into your car in a shopping parking lot . This way they get the bonus of your keys, cash and credit cards and pretty much anything else they want. (women usual targets)
If I have to drive thro' a bad area I just slow down at the reds and then drive on.
I'll suffer the ticket, but I've been told I probably wouldn't get one!
Jeff
I think theft from the driveway of a car is less common here, dogs will start barking, and many people own guns.
People are concerned about carjacking, car being stolen at a red or just as you getting into your car in a shopping parking lot . This way they get the bonus of your keys, cash and credit cards and pretty much anything else they want. (women usual targets)
If I have to drive thro' a bad area I just slow down at the reds and then drive on.
I'll suffer the ticket, but I've been told I probably wouldn't get one!
Jeff
surely it doesn't hurt to lock your car, all the same?
Kind of like saying: People don't lock their houses because most people have guns.
Do people take everything of value (Handbook, CD's, Tapes, Tools, Tax Disc if applicable etc) out of their cars at night to stop theives stealing stuff because the doors aren't locked/alarm not set?
What makes dogs barking different from over here? Do american dogs carry firearms?
Cheers
Kind of like saying: People don't lock their houses because most people have guns.
Do people take everything of value (Handbook, CD's, Tapes, Tools, Tax Disc if applicable etc) out of their cars at night to stop theives stealing stuff because the doors aren't locked/alarm not set?
What makes dogs barking different from over here? Do american dogs carry firearms?
Cheers
nmlowe said:
So, how would kids get inside the boot to play hide and seek anyway? They would need to get the car keys first, Then be old enough to know how to use them and old enough to go outside without mummy or daddy knowing.
My son (four and a half) has been able to operate the remote locking button thing for my car since he was three. He has also been able to push footstools etc around since before that age to be able to reach high up things.
Opening the front door is a doddle, he's been able to do that since he could reach it.
He hasn't been much of a problem in that respect though, but my nephew, not yet 4, often escapes through the front door when his parents' backs are turned and causes a lot of grief. Yes I know they should lock the front door.
Basically, young kids are smart, creative, and they don't think of consequences. If they can do it, and they think of doing it, then they will do it.
Edit to add: don't think my son could actually open the boot though. But with a friend I'm sure he could open a door.
>> Edited by JohnL on Thursday 7th November 00:39
nmlowe said: surely it doesn't hurt to lock your car, all the same?
Kind of like saying: People don't lock their houses because most people have guns.
Do people take everything of value (Handbook, CD's, Tapes, Tools, Tax Disc if applicable etc) out of their cars at night to stop theives stealing stuff because the doors aren't locked/alarm not set?
What makes dogs barking different from over here? Do american dogs carry firearms?
Cheers
Alright... and for the record...
Every one of my friends (and my enemies) that I know of locks up the car at night. I even lock mine while they are inside the garage at night.
Don't know what film/documentary/etc (fictional?) prompted this question, but believe it or not, things are about the same over here in most places (inner city areas excepted in MAJOR cities)...
1. We have scrotes that vandalize and burgal cars
2. We have carjackers
3. We have scrotes that will rob you in person
and, wait for it...
4. We have flaming idiots that leave cars unlocked while they "nip into the store for a 6 pack"
Why do these problems seem more prevalant in the US? Easy we have a lot more people, therefor the propensity for "Darwin Award" candidates is higher.
In reference to the "dog" issue, you have to realize that we are not talking cocker spaniels (with or without guns). There are a lot of owners of Rotwielers, pinschers and the odd mixed breed wolf that would gladly have your arm for breakfast and any other part of you for lunch. IMHO some of the dogs are more dangerous than the gun owners.
As most can attest, who have visited the US, it's not the wild west any more than the UK is a collection of medieval fiefdoms.
Every country has issues, but we are more alike than you would imagine. Take for instance our total loathing for mandatory speed limits based on arbitrary government regulations to derive revenue from the poor working class sod. We across the Atlantic know precisely what you are talking about!
Okay - all done - flameproof trousers on.
(By the way, I defend the UK quite a bit when any of my uninformed friends makes any remark. After all, I was born, lived in, and have relatives in Scotland still, so I have a unique perspective)
Cheers
ErnestM
here in New Zealand(near the bottom of)hardly anyone locks their cars.I went into the supermarket in town the other day and whilst walking across the car park i could'nt help but notice that every car had left windows wide open,some with keys in the ignition and one had the engine running with no one anywhere near it.Granted there was nothing worth driving off in but security is just not on locals minds.Being a Brit and use to the massive vehicle crime back home i find it hard to understand. I dare say it will change in the future as more migrants come in.Shame.
JohnL said:My son (four and a half) has been able to operate the remote locking button thing for my car since he was three. He has also been able to push footstools etc around since before that age to be able to reach high up things.
Opening the front door is a doddle, he's been able to do that since he could reach it.
Basically, young kids are smart, creative, and they don't think of consequences. If they can do it, and they think of doing it, then they will do it.
Absolutely right!
Mind you I think your son is a bit of a slow learner 
my boy knows which set of keys goes with which car, and regularly locks/unlocks them when we don't put the keys out of his reach and has been doing this for the last 4 months, he is now 23 months old! He also knows how to steer, what the gear lever is for, turns on/off the lights, hooter, hazard lights etc. if loose in the car. He is also trying to start the engine but has not yet got the strength and leverage to turn the key from the seat. I suppose it is reasonable because his Dad is a petrolhead 
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