What Actually Stops Car Theft in Toronto Driveways
Car theft in the GTA isn’t slowing down. While Toronto saw 9,570 vehicle thefts in 2024, a decrease from 2023’s peak, thousands of homeowners are still waking up to empty driveways. Toronto residents are scrambling for effective protection. But with so many anti-theft options available, which ones actually work?
Let’s compare three popular solutions: steering wheel locks, Apple AirTags, and driveway bollards.
Steering Wheel Locks: A Visible Deterrent with Serious Flaws
Steering wheel locks like “The Club” have been around for decades, and they do offer some deterrent value. The bright yellow bar across your steering wheel sends a clear message to thieves: this car will take extra effort. For opportunistic thieves looking for quick targets, that visual alone might send them down the street to an easier mark.
However, experienced car thieves know these devices have fundamental weaknesses. Many can be defeated in minutes using bolt cutters, drills, or by simply cutting through a section of the steering wheel itself to remove the device. Even high-end models that claim to be “unbreakable” can be bypassed with the right tools and technique.
More importantly, steering wheel locks only protect against one type of car theft—the kind where thieves break into your vehicle and attempt to drive it away. They do nothing to prevent tow truck theft, relay attacks on keyless entry systems, or organized crime rings that load vehicles onto flatbed trucks in broad daylight. And if you forget to install it even once, your protection is gone.
Apple AirTags: Great for Finding Lost Keys, Terrible for Stopping Theft
When AirTags launched, some Toronto homeowners thought they’d found an affordable tracking solution for car theft. The reality? AirTags are actually being used by thieves more often than they’re helping victims.
York Regional Police have documented cases where thieves place AirTags on high-end vehicles in parking lots, then track them back to the owner’s home for an easy driveway theft. The small devices can be hidden in tow hitches, fuel caps, or bumpers, turning your own car into a beacon for criminals.
But what about using AirTags to track your own stolen vehicle? Here’s the problem: AirTags rely on nearby Apple devices to relay location data. If your car is driven to an isolated area or loaded into a shipping container (where most GTA stolen vehicles end up), the AirTag stops updating. Even worse, Apple’s anti-stalking features alert thieves that an unknown AirTag is traveling with them, giving them time to locate and destroy it before you can recover your vehicle.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, over 105,000 vehicles were stolen across Canada in 2022, with many ending up in overseas shipping containers within hours. An AirTag won’t stop that, it’ll just let you watch helplessly as your car disappears.
Driveway Bollards: The Physical Barrier That Actually Works
Unlike steering wheel locks or tracking devices, driveway bollards prevent car theft by creating an impenetrable physical barrier. These sturdy steel posts are installed at your driveway entrance and make it physically impossible for thieves to drive your vehicle off your property, regardless of how sophisticated their methods are.
A viral video on Reddit earlier this year showed exactly how effective bollards are: two car thieves approached a Toronto driveway, examined the parked cars, spotted the bollard, and immediately fled. They didn’t try to defeat it. They didn’t come back later with tools. They simply moved on to an easier target, which is exactly how effective security works.
Driveway bollards protect against every type of vehicle theft. Relay attacks? Doesn’t matter—the car can’t leave. Tow truck theft? The bollard blocks access. Organized crime rings? They’ll choose the hundreds of unprotected driveways in your neighborhood instead. Modern retractable bollards can be raised and lowered with a smartphone app or key, combining maximum security with everyday convenience.
The Toronto Police Service reports that the majority of residential vehicle thefts occur on weekdays between 7 PM and 10 PM, with thieves specifically targeting driveways. Bollards address this threat directly as they’re always working, never forgotten, and impossible to bypass without heavy equipment that would draw immediate attention.
The Bottom Line: Layers Matter, But Foundation Comes First
Steering wheel locks offer some visual deterrence but can be defeated. AirTags might help you track a stolen vehicle but won’t prevent the theft itself, and might even help thieves target you. Driveway bollards create an absolute physical barrier that stops car theft before it happens.
Protect Your Vehicle the Right Way
Don’t settle for security solutions that only work sometimes or rely on luck. Bollard Boys GTA specializes in professional driveway bollard installation throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Our retractable bollards combine maximum security with sleek design and smartphone control, giving you real protection without sacrificing convenience. Contact Bollard Boys GTA today for a free quote and finally stop worrying about car theft in your own driveway.