Joyride (crime)

A Nissan Skyline GT-R damaged after a joyride by car thieves, in Christchurch, New Zealand

Joyriding is driving or riding in a stolen vehicle, most commonly a car, with no particular goal other than the pleasure or thrill of doing so or to impress other people.[1] The term "joy riding" was coined by a New York judge in 1908.[2]

Joyriders often act opportunistically and choose easy targets (key-on-ignition while shopping, neighbor's car...).[1][3] Like other car thieves, they can also gain access to locked cars with a flathead screwdriver and a slide hammer, although modern cars have systems to prevent a screwdriver from opening locks. Locks in cars manufactured before the early to mid-1990s were very weak and could be opened easily. The vehicle is started by either hot-wiring or breaking the ignition lock. Ignition systems were much less sophisticated before the early to mid-1990s and easier to bypass.[4] The vehicle is often driven through rural areas or less busy residential areas to avoid police notice, and dumped when it is exhausted of fuel or damaged.[citation needed] Many cases of joyriding end up with the vehicle interior soaked in petrol and lit to avoid forensic identification or at best sustaining serious damage resulting in expensive repairs or an insurance write-off.[5] Joyriding is most often committed when people are with peers, rather than alone.[6]

  1. ^ a b Michael L. Birzer; Cliff Roberson (2011). Introduction to Criminal Investigation. Taylor & Francis. p. 175. ISBN 9781439897485.
  2. ^ "To Prison For 'Joy Riding'". The Gazette Times. August 13, 1908. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  3. ^ Shelden, Randall G. (2011). Delinquency and Juvenile Justice in American Society (2nd ed.). Waveland Press. p. 98. ISBN 9781478610175.
  4. ^ Michael L. Birzer; Cliff Roberson (2011). Introduction to Criminal Investigation. Taylor & Francis. p. 176. ISBN 9781439897485.
  5. ^ van Dijk, Jan (2007). The World of Crime: Breaking the Silence on Problems of Security, Justice and Development Across the World. SAGE Publishing. p. 61. ISBN 9781483376752.
  6. ^ Linden, Rick; Chaturvedi, Renuka (April 2005). "The Need for Comprehensive Crime Prevention Planning: The Case of Motor Vehicle Theft". Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice. 47 (2): 251–270. doi:10.3138/cjccj.47.2.251. ISSN 1707-7753.