GoldenRivet
01-20-16, 06:56 PM
I will be the first to admit guilt. I forget to lock my vehicle doors with devastating frequency. Once, i went to dinner with several friends, and distracted perhaps by conversation or whatever i left my Toyota Carolla idling in the parking lot for the entire hour we were at dinner. Nobody stole the car fortunately, and we all had a good laugh at my expense.
The only time i really remember to lock my vehicle 100% of the time is when i am at work. the reason for this being that when i am at work, often in the heat of the summer sun, i have to leave the vehicle running to keep computer equipment cool, and i want the interior cold soaked when i return to it from my work which can be quite sweat inducing. So, i keep my keyless entry fob attached to my badge lanyard, on the same loop i attach some of my work tools. so in a sense it is impossible for me to forget to hit the lock button when i attach my tools because the transmitter is right there and i cannot attach my equipment without physically moving the keyless remote!
but, in the comfort of work, or at a hotel or RV park etc, i will often unload my stuff at the end of a tough day, head in for dinner, a hot shower and R&R and before you know it, bed time is upon me and i have completely forgotten about locking my vehicle.
as a result of this behavior which i fail to correct, as a result of a mistake i never learn from... about 6 years ago a young man got into my unlocked vehicle and stole a few items and then set it on fire thereby burning it to the ground. Due to the excellent police work of the local PD, my belongings were recovered and the perpetrator apprehended for his crimes. While i got my things back and saw justice more or less served (he got probation) it didnt bring my brand new Chevy Cobalt SS back from the dead.
on three separate occasions in the last six months alone; once while staying at an RV park in San Antonio, another time at a hotel in Austin, and just last night in my very own driveway - someone has managed to get into my truck simply by walking up and opening the door. the door that my dumb ass forgot to lock. :nope:
so, why my truck with such frequency?
first, it has a ladder rack and ladders, often it is from out of state, parked in a hotel or RV park with extended stay accommodations, and folks associate those types of vehicles - i assume - with individuals who work for a living and therefore must have something of value in the vehicle to be had.
second, on my rear window are two gun rights stickers, and considering that on each of the three occasions, the console and glovebox were both accessed and nothing - not even my Dashcam, GPS, or even $10 was stolen - i can only assume that the individuals targeting my truck are looking for an easy firearm to steal. While i might leave a few dollars in the console, or i might leave some pens and highlighters and such in the back seat console... i am not fool enough to leave a loaded firearm in my truck.
How can i correct this problem?
Learning is defined as modifying one's behavior based on practice, training or experience.
clearly, seeing as i fail to learn from these past experiences, i cannot be counted upon to modify my behavior. We learn, most efficiently, through positive and negative reinforcement.
If, for example of a positive reinforcement, i got a full nude lap dance from a hot blonde every time i locked my truck at the end of a day... well, it would be a religion for me.
or, for example of negative reinforcement, i had $500 stolen from my vehicle every time it was illegally accessed, i would quickly learn to lock the damned thing. :/\\!!
however, my failure to learn, speaking strictly as a bit of an expert on the psychology of learning, is the direct result of there being no substantial positive or negative reinforcements associated with my absent minded behavior of failing to lock my vehicle.
that said... i simply admit that i am not likely to change my forgetful nature.
i have however invested in a 130 Db alarm which will sound any time the glove compartment or console is opened. A pull tab connects to the compartment door, so when the door is opened more than 2 inches, the ear splitting alarm sounds. so, in the event that i forget to lock my truck, and someone manages to get into it, at least they wont get far before i am at least notified of the intrusion.
anyone else have experiences like this?
The only time i really remember to lock my vehicle 100% of the time is when i am at work. the reason for this being that when i am at work, often in the heat of the summer sun, i have to leave the vehicle running to keep computer equipment cool, and i want the interior cold soaked when i return to it from my work which can be quite sweat inducing. So, i keep my keyless entry fob attached to my badge lanyard, on the same loop i attach some of my work tools. so in a sense it is impossible for me to forget to hit the lock button when i attach my tools because the transmitter is right there and i cannot attach my equipment without physically moving the keyless remote!
but, in the comfort of work, or at a hotel or RV park etc, i will often unload my stuff at the end of a tough day, head in for dinner, a hot shower and R&R and before you know it, bed time is upon me and i have completely forgotten about locking my vehicle.
as a result of this behavior which i fail to correct, as a result of a mistake i never learn from... about 6 years ago a young man got into my unlocked vehicle and stole a few items and then set it on fire thereby burning it to the ground. Due to the excellent police work of the local PD, my belongings were recovered and the perpetrator apprehended for his crimes. While i got my things back and saw justice more or less served (he got probation) it didnt bring my brand new Chevy Cobalt SS back from the dead.
on three separate occasions in the last six months alone; once while staying at an RV park in San Antonio, another time at a hotel in Austin, and just last night in my very own driveway - someone has managed to get into my truck simply by walking up and opening the door. the door that my dumb ass forgot to lock. :nope:
so, why my truck with such frequency?
first, it has a ladder rack and ladders, often it is from out of state, parked in a hotel or RV park with extended stay accommodations, and folks associate those types of vehicles - i assume - with individuals who work for a living and therefore must have something of value in the vehicle to be had.
second, on my rear window are two gun rights stickers, and considering that on each of the three occasions, the console and glovebox were both accessed and nothing - not even my Dashcam, GPS, or even $10 was stolen - i can only assume that the individuals targeting my truck are looking for an easy firearm to steal. While i might leave a few dollars in the console, or i might leave some pens and highlighters and such in the back seat console... i am not fool enough to leave a loaded firearm in my truck.
How can i correct this problem?
Learning is defined as modifying one's behavior based on practice, training or experience.
clearly, seeing as i fail to learn from these past experiences, i cannot be counted upon to modify my behavior. We learn, most efficiently, through positive and negative reinforcement.
If, for example of a positive reinforcement, i got a full nude lap dance from a hot blonde every time i locked my truck at the end of a day... well, it would be a religion for me.
or, for example of negative reinforcement, i had $500 stolen from my vehicle every time it was illegally accessed, i would quickly learn to lock the damned thing. :/\\!!
however, my failure to learn, speaking strictly as a bit of an expert on the psychology of learning, is the direct result of there being no substantial positive or negative reinforcements associated with my absent minded behavior of failing to lock my vehicle.
that said... i simply admit that i am not likely to change my forgetful nature.
i have however invested in a 130 Db alarm which will sound any time the glove compartment or console is opened. A pull tab connects to the compartment door, so when the door is opened more than 2 inches, the ear splitting alarm sounds. so, in the event that i forget to lock my truck, and someone manages to get into it, at least they wont get far before i am at least notified of the intrusion.
anyone else have experiences like this?