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Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 10:31 pm
by roxybaby
All very helpful replies, thanks.

Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 12:00 am
by lastminute
Hello,

I had the same "problem" in October last year on the toll street aprox 100km before Valencia. We stopped at parking spot because my wife had to do something LOL. I drove a Viano Mercedes with full load (my motorbike and many other things) and German plate. I go out the car at the stop and take a look everything was fine and lashed and secured. But I dont leave the place still be at my car. After leaving the parking spot i was pulled over by a new Opel Astra showing with his hands on my tires and stoped on the right site. I was nearly to stop and then i think you see your car is good 5 minutes before so what and the I mentioned a TV dokumentation about those thefts. So i give speed and go. He pulled over a 2nd time and still showing on my tires. I showed him my Middel Finger . I know i was right as there was a out going possibility about 2 km later (and there is sometimes no way out for more the 50km) and the Opel leaves the Toll Motorway.

My advice always have one person at your car on the motorway (so they can not harm your tires) and dont stop for "not known people" only for police. f you do this it is still save to drive to Spain. And if you have a experiance like this try to write down the number of the plate for the police (I was to much shocked at my time).

best Sigi

Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:19 am
by roxybaby
Interesting. Thanks Sigi.

Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 8:05 pm
by djw
Motorways I feel make you a target in foreign reg vehicles. That is also another reason we avoid them and never stop at rest areas on them if we have to use them.

Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:14 pm
by VivaEspana
Cornishbug wrote:One of the very first things I would suggest to anybody with a hire car is to take the stickers off & anything else out of sight that suggest it is a hired car!! ;)
I agree, but are we allowed to do so?

Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:50 pm
by Jan
VivaEspana wrote:
Cornishbug wrote:One of the very first things I would suggest to anybody with a hire car is to take the stickers off & anything else out of sight that suggest it is a hired car!! ;)
I agree, but are we allowed to do so?



Yes I've been doing that for many years in all countries. I peel them off at the airport and stick them gently on the underside of the boot, then re-attach on return to the airport.

I only use OpenCar in Spain these days though and they NEVER put stickers on.

Florida has had a law for years that says hire cars should not have stickers on, after drivers at Miami were being targeted many years ago and a driver died trying to protect his possessions.

Before anyone says, that they can tell they are hire cars without the stickers on (which is what was said last time I spoke about this). Not all thieves are that clever or clever at all in fact, otherwise they wouldn't be thieving for a living!!!


Jan.

Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 10:39 pm
by Scipio
Good advice .

Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 12:49 am
by roxybaby
Thanks for the advice everyone. Just completed the drive down from England via channel tunnel no problems, 3 days staying 1 night in Alencon France. Then on to Bordeaux, le mans, Poitiers,into Spain staying at Hotel Plazaola Irurtzun as recommended on here, great hotel, pet friendly.Did most of it avoiding tolls, but did go through a few just to make time. Great experience.

Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:18 am
by Neanskyeandspain
We drive from Isle of Skye to Spain every year in a van. We travel through the channel tunnel, use tolls for some of the way and explore different parts of France using byways, as well.
So far, so good, but we don't leave the van unattended at aires - & at the service stations our large dog is in the van, which must help.
We take heed of all the warnings, but don't allow it to cause us to be paranoid about it all. I think, if we didn't have our dog, we'd, possibly, be a little more concerned.
I agree with a previous comment. Be aware, as you would be anywhere, but don't allow it to spoil your travelling.

Re: Beware distraction thefts from UK cars on highways in Sp

PostPosted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 3:29 pm
by ukdobby
Travel up and down twice a year and love it bar the odd speeding fine in France,just to say was parked in I run this year for a drink stop and noticed a guy in a shell suit on the phone eyeing the cars up,I kept my eyes on him then he moved to my car and leant on the next car looking through my window,we ran up to him then he moved on so we drank up and left but they are 1or 2 dodgy characters around there.