South Africa: one of the most beautiful countries in the world, however, our ever-increasing crime rates are something not many can ignore. We are well aware of the risks we face daily which is why we make sure we have various systems in place to mitigate these risks, with getting a car tracker being a top contender.
According to the According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) data from the Fourth Quarter of 2024/2025 (January-March 2025), 4,546 vehicles were hijacked during this three-month period alone.
Car trackers are one way of helping you locate your car once it’s been stolen, but they have a variety of other uses as well that you don’t want to miss out on. Let’s take a look!
Related: Here’s What You Need To Know About Car Hijacking In SA
How does a vehicle tracker work?
We’ve all become accustomed to a world with a GPS – Global Positioning System. A GPS uses satellite technology to work out exactly where something is. A car tracker works similarly. You place a GPS tracking system in your vehicle and it provides information on the exact location of your vehicle. It can track the movement of your car as well.
A GPS tracking system uses the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network. This network uses various satellites that use microwave signals which are then transmitted to GPS devices to give information on location, vehicle speed, time and direction.
It can sound confusing but in short, your tracker uses satellites to gain information on your vehicle.
Discover: 6 Signs That You May Have Car Transmission Problems
What are the benefits?
Locate your vehicle at any time
You can easily see where your car is even if you’re out of town and your car has been stolen or one of your kids borrowed your car. You can find your car at any time of the day, even if it’s parked in a covered parking lot (we’ve all been there).
By having a tracker installed, SAPS has access to your car’s information almost instantly so as soon as your car is missing, the police have quick access to find it.
Quick access to an emergency button
Most car tracking companies offer the additional installation of an emergency button which is usually installed at the same time as your tracking device.
This emergency button is essential if you ever need roadside assistance or if you are in the process of being hijacked or even if you see one taking place. Your position is then easily located and emergency services will be dispatched to your location.
The emergency button is a silent call for help which could be a lifesaver in a dangerous situation.
Discover: The 9 Most Common Causes Of Car Accidents In South Africa.
Data capturing and complete reports
Trackers are not only useful in emergency situations but they can give the owner of the vehicle and tracker access to a full report on your car’s movement. This includes:
- Storing the data of where your car has previously been
- The current movements of your vehicle
- Estimated time of arrival while you’re out and about
- Driver behaviour (careless driving or driving at high speeds)
- Fuel consumption of your vehicle
You can use this report to monitor your driving, see how you’re using your vehicle and learn where you can implement solutions to your driving that will save you money!
Discover: Road safety: The most dangerous ways to sit in a car
Fleet management
If you have many vehicles for business purposes, tracking systems are a massive benefit because you have various employees driving company vehicles.
Each vehicle is monitored individually with each car having its own tracker. You can then use the trackers to identify potential ways of improving the efficiency of the business.
The managers and owners of the business can use a website or phone app to trace the vehicles quickly and easily. You can then implement methods that ensure the safety of your drivers, or you can monitor if they are driving recklessly.
Monitor first-time drivers
As we mentioned, trackers allow you to monitor your vehicles in real-time. This means that if you have a child who is new to driving, you are able to keep an eye on them when they’re out and about. Now, we don’t mean that you should use the tracker to watch over your kids 24/7 but they are helpful in ensuring your kids are driving safely and you can make sure they have reached their destination safely, too.
Related: 5 Ways to Save Money When Your Teen is Learning to Drive
How your insurer uses your car tracker
Your car tracker records how often you speed, whether you take very sharp turns at high speeds or slam on your car’s brakes. Your insurer can then use this information to see what type of driver you are (yes, ma’am, it’s true).
Some insurers use this information to reward great driving and this is either in the form of points or even cash-back each month.
Read: 5 Bad Driving Habits to Avoid Right Now
Your car tracker can also alert your insurer if the emergency button has been pushed or if your driving patterns are irregular, your insurer can then contact emergency services if something has happened.
Plus, having a car tracker installed can even decrease your monthly car insurance premium.
With a whole lot of benefits that are definitely worth it, make sure to research the best car tracker for you!
Yours in comprehensive car insurance,
Oneplan
