Vehicle Security : Microdot

Imagine driving a car and thoughts of theft or hijacking are off your mind. Absolutely improving car security.

Previously there were only two means of identifying a stolen vehicle if its number plates were removed or changed: the stamped vehicle identification number (VIN) and the engine number which made modification or cloning those numbers easier for criminals, making stolen vehicles find their way back into the used car market. Now imagine modifying over a 1,000 microscopic identifiers located throughout a vehicle to produce a similar level of criminal deception – it is a near-impossible task.

"Microdot is a tiny polymer disc measuring one millimetre in diameter normally circular but can be made into different shapes and sizes and made from various materials such as polyester or metal. The microdot has either the 17-digit VIN or PIN laser-etched or coded in it no less than nine times, which includes hidden security layers. The microdot information is accessible to law enforcement officers, insurers and motor industry employees by utilising an inexpensive UV (UltraViolet) light and a low-power microscope."

Microdots are applied using a spray-on system or brushed into key part. The dots and adhesive are sealed in a container that is attached to a compressed air supply and sprayed onto panels, the engine compartment and undercarriage (more than 67 locations). The technology was developed in the United States in the 1990s before being commercialized by various manufacturers and distributors around the world and presently in South Africa it is a legal requirement to have microdot fitted to all new vehicles passed since September 2012 (The SANS 534-1 legislation:2012) and to all vehicles that requires Police Clearance. Making vehicle owner now require police clearance when a new engine is fitted, the vehicle colour is changed or when a stolen vehicle is recovered, to name a few examples. Ultradot supply and fit microdots sourced from suppliers such as idDots and Veridot. Any owner is free to get their vehicle microdotted for security purposes – if they so desire, a fitment process takes about 20 minutes and costing about R500 in South Africa. DataDot a South Africa based Company which also specialize in microdot fitting has trained 16,000 SAPS (South Africa police Service) members in the identification of microdots and supplied 12 000 kits for the purpose.
Statistically Vehicle crimes show a decrease in the latest release of South African crime figures.

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