Police chief, SGI consider penalty for keys left in cars

Should drivers be penalized for leaving their keys inside their vehicles?

It’s a question some are starting to ask after a fatal crash involving a stolen vehicle Monday in Saskatoon.

A group of suspects stole a truck from the Caswell Hill neighbourhood, later ramming a police car and colliding with a civilian at 150 km/h, killing the suspect driver.

SGI is reportedly considering making changes to their insurance structure to punish drivers, though there’s no specifics on what form that penalty would take.

Saskatoon Police Chief Clive Weighill joined John Gormley Live Thursday morning, saying something needed to change.

“We need some help here,” he said, noting between 60-65 per cent of vehicles stolen in Saskatoon have the keys inside.

“There’s a reality here, and we’re not crying wolf or trying to blame victims. We have to try and slow this down.”

Weighill said he wasn’t sure if a solution would come from SGI or government legislation.

Most insurance companies in Canada and the US cover vehicle thefts, even if keys are left inside, under comprehensive policies.

However, some US states have banned leaving keys in the ignition while the vehicle is unattended in an attempt to prevent thefts during the winter.

Any changes made by SGI would require government approval.