MENU
SEARCHVehicle thefts in Florida fell 4.1% to 41,119 vehicles in 2018, but the crime remains a significant problem, according to law enforcement officials.
Vehicle thefts in Florida declined in 2018, but the crime remains a significant problem in the state.
Photo via Jimmy Wayne/Flickr.
Vehicle thefts in Florida fell 4.1% to 41,119 vehicles in 2018, but the crime remains a significant problem, according to law enforcement officials.
The most recent data comes from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which tracks thefts and reports its findings to the FBI.
In 2018, there were more than $600 million worth of vehicles stolen in Florida, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Over $3.5 million in value of that was recovered, according to the department.
The hardest hit counties included Hillsborough, which ranked first with 1,827 vehicles thefts in 2018, a drop from 1,997 in 2017. Pinellas County was second with 1,749 in 2018 versus 2,109 in 2017. Polk County ranked third with 990 vehicle thefts in 2018 — just a slight increase over the 988 in 2017.
As for which vehicles Florida thieves seek out, pickups appear to be a priority. In 2017, 2006 Ford F-Series pickups were the most commonly stolen vehicle statewide, according to the bureau.
Nationally, the current trend is headed in the correct direction concerning auto thefts. In the first half of 2018, the FBI reported a 33% decline in vehicle thefts across the country.
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.
Read More →
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Read More →
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
