How many people drive with their doors unlocked?

[Protected One]

Just finished watching a TV show called CRIME WATCH DAILY. One of their stories was about a Colorado incident in which a woman ran into a gas station to pay for gas, leaving the car running with her 4yr old in the back seat! As could be expected, the car was taken by a career criminal who let the police on a lengthy car chase - complete with aerial surveillance.

During the chase you could clearly see the guy cutting off drivers and causing them to stop then jumping out, pulling the driver (violently) from their car...and taking off with a different vehicle. He did this FOUR TIMES and only once was the cars doors locked, preventing him from opening it, and causing him to approach another car. I couldn't help thinking that ONE person with a gun could have stopped the whole scenario from continuing, but that's another matter.

In this day of frequent carjacking's it is amazing to me the number of people who "apparently" don't even think to exercise the minimal effort of locking their cars doors.

Car Chase: Man Hijacks Two Cars in Colorado with a Child Inside Video - ABC News

How many of YOU drive with your doors unlocked on a regular basis?

 

[Targets Guy]

My car won't allow me to drive with the doors unlocked. But I still check.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

I drive with the doors locked and the windows up. That's what I did on patrol too. (I know there's a school of thought that you drive with the windows down to listen for crime, but I preferred not to get a rock or bottle to the side of the head.) Besides locked doors and windows that are rolled up provide another layer of safety in a car crash.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The doors lock automatically. Ruthie also engages the child locks so I won't jump out if I spot an overturned beer truck.

 

[mtgianni]

Personal truck locks automatically, Car and work truck are generally driven unlocked. In another hundred years this may become an issue in Montana. I generally lock doors when we shop and on a trip over 200 miles.

 

[finesse_r]

It is against the law in Washington D. C. and NYC I think, as it violates the civil rights of carjackers.

 

[Chuck24]

My Tundra locks itself when you put it in motion, however I lock as soon as I get in.

 

[Grip_Maker's_Wife]

I once had someone jump in my car when I got into it at night in a parking lot. He was hiding below the window on the passenger side so I couldn't see. Criminals are fast, it happened in an instant. It was a frightening experience and am glad I didn't get hurt. I think that was partially due to me being able to talk him out of whatever he was planning to do. I always approach my car from behind now and make sure my car is locked once I get in. Yes, I lock it at gas stations too if I need to step away from the car. I even lock my dad in the car when he's with me and take the keys if I step away (he has dementia).

 

[sooper44]

My truck locks automatically at 5mph. The car locks when put into gear.

 

[Bkreutz]

Both of our cars came from the factory with automatic door locks (doors lock when put into gear). I wouldn't mind that but on newer cars, the doors won't unlock from the inside when you pull on the door release (like cars used to). So the first thing I do is defeat the auto lock feature (the owners manual tells you how). My wife locks her doors when she drives, I don't.

 

[Rocksprings]

My truck is auto lock. Never leave it unlocked or running. Do drive with window open a lot. If someone approaches me at a red light and wants my truck I have some hot lead for them.

 

[Targets Guy]

I even lock mine when it is sitting in the garage.

 

[Tom S.]

Locked. I was working in Detroit when I retired. Old habits die hard.

 

[mike from st pete]

Locked Doors?

I drive a convertible. The reason for having a convertible is drive with the top down. Many do not know this, it seems. For me that top only goes up if it is raining, why lock the door?

 

[Arik]

My car door locks automatically when I put it in drive. That being said I would rather him pull me out and take my car than him possibly using a bullet to open my window.

And I guess you never drive with open windows on nice days?

It's just a car

 

[Inusuit]

I lock the door as soon as I sit down. Doors lock automatically at 5 mph or so, but I don't wait.

 

[model70hunter]

I usually lock them when I sit down.

My new truck and car auto lock in gear.

My old jeep doors are locked in the barn when we tool around topless and sans doors.

 

[Smoke]

First thing I do when I close the door is lock the car.

Ordinarily I don't leave the car running but there are a couple of places I check at night where I literally get out check one door and I'm done. On those never get more than 3 feet from the car and I leave it running

 

[SW MP15]

I'm a big boy with a bigger gun. What's to be afraid of?

 

[chaparrito]

If I have to go to Phoenix or somewhere urban I lock, but I don't lock normally. I don't lock it at home either. Often leave the keys in it too. Don't need to lock where I live. If I did need to I reckon I'd move.

 

[JJEH]

Ours lock automatically once you hit a certain speed. However, I lock them as soon as everyone is in the vehicle.

 

[Bib]

If you don't like your doors locking automatically when you start driving you should read your owners manual....you most likely can disable that feature...like I did

 

[finesse_r]

I drive a convertible. The reason for having a convertible is drive with the top down. Many do not know this, it seems. For me that top only goes up if it is raining, why lock the door?

Protection against the carjackers that are too inept to figure out the locking system and too lazy to climb over the locked door, which is probably most of them.

 

[Old cop]

Our 2003 car and the 2014 truck both lock as soon as the car goes into gear. Pretty hard to drive with the doors unlocked.

 

[bgrafsr]

My Honda Odyssey locks the doors at about 10 mph. When you parked the vehicle, you had to unlock the doors before anyone could get out. I programmed the vehicle to automatically unlock the doors when the vehicle's transmission is put into Park.

 

[bricker]

I drive a convertible. The reason for having a convertible is drive with the top down. Many do not know this, it seems. For me that top only goes up if it is raining, why lock the door?

Do you at least roll the windows up?

 

[John Fritz]

Only because they lock auto. Otherwise, non-issue.

 

[Ed Fowler]

Locked doors aggravate me. When my ex wife bought a car that locked the doors automatically and I found that I could not open the door on my own I quit riding with her.

I want to be able to smell the world around me, hear the birds or siren approaching, it is called being aware.

Freedom for myself and trust of my fellow man are very important to me, I will not throw them away for the sake of insecurity on my part.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

All my locks lock when moving. My VW (diesel by the way) will UNLOCK the doors automatically after a crash, which is helpful in case I am unable to do it myself.

My Tundra has mechanical locks as well as the electrical lock, so if the battery goes dead I can still open the doors, not sure about the VW, will have to check it out.

 

[Walter Rego]

I disabled the auto-lock feature on my car. But the passenger side is always locked. I don't lock the driver's door when driving and out of habit, when I exit the vehicle I thumb the lock button to the locked position. My car has keyless entry and one touch of the button on the handle only unlocks the driver's door. I detest auto locking or unlocking. I'll do it myself thank you very much.