The financial loss, inconvenience and trauma that go hand-in-hand with having your vehicle hijacked are of great concern to all vehicle owners. In a hijack situation no amount of immobilisers, alarms or mechanical anti-theft devices are going to be a deterrent - this is where vehicle tracking systems come into their own.
A vehicle tracking device will give you peace of mind and the opportunity to get back what belongs to you. Almost five years ago, a team of engineers began developing an innovative electronic system, based on technology originally designed for NASA, for the location and recovery of stolen vehicles. The first vehicle tracking and recovery system became operational in South Africa in the middle of 1994.
"Today, as more people realise the benefits of fitting tracking devices to their vehicles, so the systems are becoming more affordable. Insurance companies have also recognised the benefits and many now offer discounts on the monthly premiums of vehicles fitted with tracking units, some as much as a 25% discount," says Netstar Managing Director, John Edmeston.
"As well as the positive cost implications of recovering stolen vehicles, tracking systems are also proving effective in cutting down hijackings that involve violence. People have learnt not to fight and antagonise criminals but to just hand over their keys, knowing that their car will most likely be recovered later by a tracking company," adds Edmeston.
Vehicle tracking and recovery company, Netstar, cites an impressive average recovery rate and the average time taken to recover a vehicle as an inspiring 38 min. Since its inception just five years ago, it has recovered 5498 vehicles, worth R660 million in total. With a subscriber base current at 61 094 the company is set to ensure that many more vehicle owners get their vehicles returned to them.
Netstar product range
There are two different Netstar units available. The Netstar 150 is an early warning system that automatically alerts the Netstar Control Centre if a vehicle, that has been armed by the driver's remote control, is being tampered with, driven or towed away. The 150 unit is fitted with an emergency panic button which can be pushed to alert Netstar of a hijack situation as a standard feature. The more fleet-oriented Netstar 170 is a phone-in system that requires the driver to contact the control centre as soon as the vehicle is discovered missing.
When the Netstar control room is notified of a violation it dispatches its dedicated ground and air crews to locate and recover the vehicle. Both the ground and air crews are equipped with mobile tracking units making it easy for them to pinpoint the exact location of the vehicle. The crews then either recover the vehicle themselves or contact the SAPS who will assist them in this regard. More than 795 arrests have been made through the actions of Netstar. The company has also been instrumental in the discovery and subsequent closure of numerous chopshops and crime syndicates.
The Netstar system ensures that the recovered vehicle is then returned directly to the owner or the driver, effectively eliminating any unnecessary damages or losses that could be incurred at the pound.
Netstar's extensive network covers all the major metropolitan areas in South Africa where most of the crime takes place. However, the company is able to locate vehicles nationwide through its sophisticated mobile tracking equipment used by the recovery crews. There are no additional costs for recoveries made anywhere within South Africa's borders. Netstar has also located and recovered numerous vehicles that have already crossed South Africa's borders.
Netstar has recently been evaluated and certified by the Vehicle Security Association of South Africa (VESA).
For details contact Netstar on telephone (011) 652 5842, fax (011) 315 6620; e-mail: knightd@netstar.co.za or visit www.netstar.co.za
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