As a nation, we heavily rely on our cars. Much of our business and personal lives revolve around the use of the car, so it's easy to see how difficult life could be without it. Yet we still take them for granted, always assuming they'll be where we left them. But one day they may not be.

The UK's comprehensive motorway and road network means your vehicle may be miles away before you even notice it has been stolen. This makes it very difficult for the police to track it down, and as around 50% of all stolen cars are not recovered, there's a fair chance it's gone for good. This leads to an insurance claim, the associated premium increase and of course the stress and inconvenience.

What if your car could alert someone as soon as it's stolen?

The RAC Trackstar Plus system is the answer. The advanced GPS technology and positioning accuracy means that if your car is stolen you can be sure RAC Trackstar, working with the Police will do everything possible to get it back.

A vehicle is more likely to be recovered if the police can be alerted quickly.

If your car is stolen the RAC Trackstar Plus system will automatically alert the National Control Centre using advanced GPS technology to pinpoint the vehicles position to a 5 metre accuracy, whether under power or not.

A tracking signal is sent from the vehicle every 20 seconds to the National Control Centre allowing us to discreetly and safely track the vehicle and work with the Police until it is recovered.

It is even fitted with its own power supply in case the car's battery is disconnected, so the thieves won't even know the system is in operation - until they're apprehended by the police!

After the vehicle has been recovered by the police, it will be guarded by RAC Trackstar. The vehicle will then be returned to the owner, entirely free of charge, by the RAC.

RAC Trackstar Plus is more than just a vehicle security system - it can also improve your safety on the road, too. Using the same Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology employed to track the vehicle, other services can be provided to the motorist.

There are over 6,000 safety cameras installed on UK roads today and this number is continuing to grow. They are often located at accident black spots to reduce speed and prevent accidents. Interestingly, in a Mori survey it was found that motorists using speed camera detection devices travelled over 50% more miles between accidents than those without these devices.

What may be more worrying to some drivers is that the government predicts that there will be 3 million speeding convictions, due to the increase in safety cameras. So to protect you and your car, RAC Trackstar offers Safe Speed, an optional service that alerts you to the accident blackspots and safety cameras.

The RAC Trackstar Safe Speed option alerts you when you approach zones monitored by fixed safety cameras, variable safety cameras and multi-camera detectors (also known as Specs) There are three audible alert stages. Three beeps warn you as you approach a monitored zone, followed by five beeps immediately before you enter the zone. These beeps remind you to concentrate on the road ahead, and give you enough time to correct your speed. If you continue driving over the limit through the zone, continuous beeps warn you until your speed falls below the limit. The system is operational on every journey, helping to give extra peace of mind

The RAC Trackstar Plus system has three optional functions for use during breakdowns, emergencies and when travelling abroad. If either of the two occur, the possibility exists that the driver won't be aware of their exact location but, thanks to GPS, the position of the vehicle - anywhere in the UK - will be forwarded directly to the RAC or the necessary emergency services.

Emergency Call function

• If the driver is involved in, or witnesses, an accident, pushing the in-car Emergency Call button will immediately connect them to the emergency services, who will be notified of the vehicle's location.
  
  
• RAC Trackstar Plus's built-in microphone and speaker allow the driver to converse with an emergency operator, to give greater details of the incident.

Breakdown Call function

• In the event of a breakdown, the driver should press the Breakdown Call button to be connected to an RAC National Response Centre operator, who will be instantly aware of the exact location of the vehicle.
  
  
• The built-in microphone and speaker allow the driver to discuss the nature of the problem with the operator, who will be able to advise on the exact arrival time of the nearest RAC patrol vehicle.
  
  
• The service is available to all subscribers, irrespective of whether they have RAC breakdown membership (though a charge will be made for recovery if the driver is not an RAC member).

European Cover

• This option means that no matter where your car is stolen, whether it's Park Lane, Paris or Rome, your car will be instantly located. RAC Trackstar will track your vehicle until recovered.