Vehicle Theft Rate in U.S. Drops to 53-Year Low

Vehicle thefts in the U.S. plunged 58% from a record 1.66 million in 1991 to 700,000 last year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Last year's theft rate per 100,000 population fell to 221, the lowest since 1960.

NICB credits the reduction in thefts to more robust antitheft systems, the spread of surveillance cameras, better law enforcement investigative techniques and the rise of statewide auto theft prevention authorities funded by auto insurance surcharges.