San Antonio Traffic Trends Show Improvement Amid Rising Thefts

News Summary

A new INRIX study reveals San Antonio’s traffic congestion has decreased by 10% from 2019 to 2022, though vehicle thefts remain a concerning issue with nearly 19,000 reported cases. Traffic improvements are credited to infrastructure upgrades and pandemic-related changes, while vehicle security concerns spike as a significant portion of thefts involve unlocked cars. Local authorities encourage precautions to combat this trend, as automakers implement anti-theft measures amidst ongoing challenges.

San Antonio Traffic Trends Revealed: Study Shows Time on the Road and Rising Vehicle Theft Rates

San Antonio residents, it seems your daily commutes might be less of a headache! A recent study conducted by INRIX has unveiled some interesting 🚗 traffic trends for 2024. This study points out just how much time we spend on the road, which is quite enlightening!

Did you know that *San Antonio* is one of the top 10 most populated cities in the entire United States? That’s right! The study gathered traffic data from over 900 cities across a whopping 36 countries, including our very own *Alamo City*. One major finding was that the busiest stretch of road in San Antonio is from the *Interstate 35 frontage road* running from *Cibolo to Windcrest*. So if you’ve felt stuck there during rush hour—that’s why!

What’s fascinating is that from 2019 to 2022, San Antonio has reportedly seen a 10% reduction in traffic congestion. That’s music to any commuter’s ears! This positive change was corroborated by research from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Fellow Texan cities like Houston and Dallas have witnessed similar traffic improvements, while our neighbor Austin hasn’t seen any significant changes at all. So, what’s causing these shifts in traffic flow? Well, some experts credit the pandemic along with ongoing improvements in infrastructure.

Speaking of improvements, completed projects like enhancements on *Highway 281* have significantly improved the commuter experience, making those drives feel a bit smoother than before.

The Rising Concern of Vehicle Theft

Now, while traffic may be getting a little easier, there’s a more troubling topic that’s caught our attention: vehicle theft. From May 2023 to May 2024, nearly 19,000 car thefts were reported in San Antonio. That’s enough to almost fill up the *Frost Bank Center’s parking lot* over two-and-a-half times! Imagine that—over **7,000 cars** can fit in there!

What’s more alarming is that over half of these stolen vehicles were reportedly left unlocked or had keys inside. It looks like we could all use a little refresher on vehicle security! The thefts are concentrated mainly downtown and across the *North Side and Interstate 10 corridor*. Surprisingly, the most commonly stolen vehicles were those from *Kia and Hyundai*, which were responsible for a staggering 48.2% of all thefts during this period.

It’s worth noting, too, that the overall trend for car thefts had been on the rise until late 2023, but *2024* is showing signs of a decline in reported incidents. On the other hand, police detectives have pointed to potential links between these thefts, *smuggling operations*, and the resale of parts. Yikes!

Understanding the Patterns of Theft

If you’re wondering when these auto thefts are happening, the report highlighted some clear patterns. *Saturdays and Mondays* are peak days for such incidents, while *Wednesdays* tend to be quieter. However, there’s been some good news here: the average monthly theft counts have decreased by about **17%** compared to prior months. Proof that awareness matters!

In light of such startling stats, local authorities stress the importance of securing vehicles properly. They recommend removing valuables from sight—after all, a little precaution can go a long way. Kia and Hyundai are indeed taking action, too! They are rolling out software updates for affected models in an effort to combat the issue of thefts.

On another note, *State Farm* has temporarily paused taking new customers with certain Hyundai and Kia models, reflecting the company’s caution amidst this troubling trend. A class-action lawsuit regarding theft rates against these car manufacturers was also recently denied, citing weak proposed remedies, adding to the frustration felt by vehicle owners.

In response to the rise in thefts, *Hyundai* even launched an anti-theft campaign right here in San Antonio, aiming to empower vehicle owners and alleviate their concerns. So, remember, folks—stay safe, secure your vehicles, and happy driving!