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Attorney General Andrew Swan, minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance, announced today that owners registering a most-at-risk vehicle for the first time in Winnipeg or a vehicle to commute to Winnipeg will be given a shorter, 60-day grace period to have an immobilizer installed in their vehicle.

 

This new grace period takes effect Dec. 1 and is a 30-day reduction from the current 90-day grace period set by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

 

“The consequences of auto theft are all too often violent and tragic.  Every time an auto thief steals a car, they are putting people’s safety at risk.  Unprotected most-at-risk vehicles in Winnipeg have a continued high risk of theft and these vehicles continue to be targeted by criminals,” said Swan.  “It’s not in the public interest to continue allowing a 90-day grace period for immobilizer installations, when the capacity is there to handle installations.”

 

The grace period will be further reduced to 30 days, effective June 1, 2011, said Swan.

 

“The majority of the existing most-at-risk vehicles in Winnipeg have been immobilized, consequently, there is sufficient installation capacity to handle new immobilizer installations and provide service well within the 60-day period,” said Ted Hlynsky, vice-president of Manitoba Public Insurance’s claims control and safety operations.

 

Owners of most-at-risk vehicles registering outside Winnipeg will continue to be given the 90-day grace period, explained Hlynsky.

 

“There is less capacity for immobilizer installations outside the capital region,” said Hlynsky.  “The 90-day grace period will accommodate those vehicle owners in rural Manitoba who may have to wait longer to get an installation appointment.”

 

Overall, reported total thefts in Winnipeg dropped by 75 per cent from 2004 through 2009.  Combined total and attempted thefts are now the lowest in the province since 1992. 

 

“While we have seen significant reductions in auto theft in Winnipeg, we know there is still work to do,” said Swan.  “This measure is just one step we are taking to continue the fight against auto theft.”