DataDot

Hands off the Toyota Quantum

Fouche Burgers, a Project Manager of the Organised Crime Project at Business Against Crime South Africa, says statistics reveal that Microdot Technology could lead to a significant reduction in the number of vehicle thefts and hijackings - decreases of around 50 – 60% have been reported both locally and internationally.

Toyota South Africa took a leading role in improving vehicle identification and making it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen or hijacked cars by fitting ToyotaCare Microdots to all Toyota Quantum minibuses. Business Against Crime South Africa supports and applauds this decision and wishes to congratulate Toyota South Africa on taking this important step in the fight against crime.

The fitment of ToyotaCare Microdots to all Quantum vehicles proved to be extremely successful. Although the Quantum falls into the vehicle category with traditionally a high risk for theft and robbery, as far is could be determined not one Quantum has been reported as robbed or stolen during the first 18 months after release of the vehicles. Criminals consider these Mirodotted Quantum vehicles and their components as ‘contaminated’ making these vehicles less desirable for theft.

Microdot Technology has been identified as the most promising and cost effective means available of entrenching the identity of a motor vehicles and its parts, and should consequently be seen as an important addition to the suite of options available to combat vehicle crime.

The technology works through the application of thousands of small (typically 1 mm diameter) polymeric or metallic discs which have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or agreed PIN, inscribed. These discs are typically applied in various locations of the vehicle through hand held, low pressure, spray systems, together with a suitable adhesive. Confirmation of vehicle identity is simply done by extracting a sample of the material and subjecting this to observation through a low powered, easy to use, microscope (which have already been distributed to the SAPS).

Once applied, the Microdots are extremely difficult to remove and serve as a lasting reminder of the original identity of the motor vehicle and its parts.

A further advantage is the relatively low cost of applying these Microdots, requiring a once-off application fee.

The technology serves multiple purposes and in addition reduces unlawful activities in the second hand parts market (illegal chop chops). The technology will assist the SAPS in identifying vehicles and vehicle parts in suspected chop shops, thus enabling the prosecution of offenders.

So far the technology has been applied to nearly 80 000 vehicles, largely at the request of rental companies and vehicle insurers and it is anticipated that a further 30 000 cars will be fitted with the microdots in the next year.

The Microdots can also be fitted to existing motor vehicles. This is something which Burgers says all motor vehicle owners should consider. This will not only reduce the risk of theft but will also increase the probability of recovering and returning the vehicle to its lawful owner.

Ideally, Burgers says, vehicle owners should insist on Microdot-fitted vehicles when buying a new vehicle until such time as this is included as a standard offering.

For more information contact:

Business Against Crime at 011 883 0717