The holiday season brings significant challenges for transportation and logistics companies. With an increase in shipping and deliveries, the risk of cargo theft also rises. In fact, cargo theft increased by 68% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year. This shows how important it is for companies to stay aware and proactive to protect their goods during this busy time.
Why Theft Increases Around the Holidays
Higher Volume of Goods in Transit: The holiday season brings more goods on the move, which increases the chances of theft. High-value items like electronics and clothing are especially vulnerable.
Strained Resources and Seasonal Hires: With the holiday rush, many companies hire temporary workers. While this helps with the demand, it can also lead to lapses in security or increased internal theft.
Opportunistic Thieves Target Distracted Operations: During the holidays, transportation companies are often focused on meeting deadlines, which can cause them to overlook security. Criminals take advantage of this, targeting unsecured areas like parking lots and rest stops.
Organized Crime Activity Peaks: Criminal groups often plan their thefts around peak shipping seasons, targeting high-value goods and using tactics like posing as legitimate carriers to steal cargo.
Extended Holiday Breaks Leave Assets Vulnerable: Long holiday weekends often leave trucks and trailers idle, making them easy targets for thieves when no one is around to monitor them.
Weather Conditions Can Complicate Security: Winter weather, shorter daylight hours, and road conditions make it harder to keep track of assets. Vehicles may be delayed and left in less secure locations, making them more vulnerable to theft.
Prevention Tools
The good news is that there are several tools available to help protect your fleet during the holiday season. With the right preparation, you can reduce the risk of theft and keep your goods safe.
Asset Tracking: GPS tracking helps you monitor your vehicles and cargo in real-time. You can use a mobile app to check locations from anywhere, at any time. Alerts notify you if assets move outside their designated areas or if vehicles operate outside of their scheduled hours.
Optimized Route Planning: Planning routes carefully can help reduce downtime and idling, which are prime times for theft. By avoiding high-risk areas and adjusting routes for weather, traffic, or road closures, you can keep drivers on safer paths and reduce the chances of theft.
Proactive Vehicle Maintenance: Regular vehicle maintenance ensures your fleet is ready for the increased demands of the holiday season. Pre-inspection items like checking tire pressure, brakes, and fluid levels can help prevent breakdowns that could leave vehicles vulnerable.
Sensors: Adding sensors, such as door and temperature sensors, to your vehicles can provide extra protection. Door sensors alert you to unauthorized access, while temperature sensors monitor the conditions of perishable goods.
Cameras: Cameras provide another layer of protection. They can monitor unsafe driving behaviors like speeding or distracted driving and act as a deterrent to potential thieves. Cameras also provide valuable evidence if a theft does occur, helping you resolve the issue more quickly.
By using these tools, transportation companies can better protect their assets and reduce the risk of theft during the busy holiday season.
Contact us today to make sure you have the right security measures in place this holiday season.
