At least 20 states have felony laws specific to carjacking, hijacking an occupied motor vehicle, or robbery of an occupied motor vehicle by force or threat. Some of these laws require display or use of a weapon in the commission of this dangerous, violent crime. Such crimes usually occur in urban areas and represent only a small portion of auto thefts. Law enforcement officials and agencies provide information to the driving public on practices that help prevent auto theft, such as locking the car; keeping keys out of the ignition, and not leaving an unattended vehicle idling, even in.
