Joyriding is a type of illegal act that involves someone driving a vehicle without authorization. This is sometimes done for the purpose of recreational use, but more often it is done as a form of auto-theft. In their simplest form, joyriders will either steal or borrow a car and return it without damage, or steal a car and abandon it in an area where it can be easily found.
But regardless of the level of damage or intent, joyriding is illegal in most countries, and in many jurisdictions, perpetrators can be charged with grand theft auto, auto burglary, and vandalism. There may also be additional charges if the car is damaged or if any property was stolen from the vehicle—whether money or items.
While joyriding can be a fascinating topic of conversation, it can come with very serious consequences; in some areas, perpetrators may face prison time. In addition, as technology advances, car manufacturers are taking even more steps to protect their vehicles from theft. The auto industry is now implementing GPS tracking technology, fingerprint readers, and more, so joyriding is becoming an increasingly onerous task.
Though joyriding is illegal everywhere, there may be different levels of severity when it comes to the penalties of the offense. Everyone, from parents to lawmakers, should take the time to understand the seriousness of such behavior and the consequences of being charged with joyriding.