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.
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 →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
