According to the LA Times, a California appellate court ruled on Thursday that holding a cell phone while driving for the purpose of viewing GPS tracking applications is legal. The appeals case is the result of a Fresno man contesting a ticket he received for using the GPS tracking software application on his cell phone (in hand) to figure out how to avert being caught in a traffic jam. After receiving the ticket, the man argued that the 2006 law banned only talking on cell phones while driving–unless a hands-free device is used. After losing in lower courts, the appellate court reversed the earlier decisions, citing that the 2006 law came into effect during a time when cell phones were largely used for talking only–not the myriad of available cell phone apps, including GPS tracking apps, used today. In addition, the appellate opinion stated that banning handling of a cell phone to use a GPS tracking app while driving could also lead to “ridiculous” outcomes, including making it illegal to check a phone for the current time, or simply moving the phone around in the car, for example, from a dashboard to a seat while driving.
Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-cellphone-court-20140228,0,3881509.story#axzz2uejZggdq
The US federal government has recently released funding to aid in purchasing GPS trackers for autistic children at high risk for wandering away and becoming lost. The average cost of GPS tracker for a child ranges from $80-$100 before the addition of data costs/subscriptions for monthly GPS tracking software service.
The release of federal GPS tracking funding comes on the heels of incidents where children have become lost by leaving their homes or their schools. While some children are eventually found unharmed, other incidents have resulted in the deaths of children. Autistic children can be easily sidetracked with curiosity or panic quickly in a new situation. GPS tracking systems do not replace parental supervision but are a valuable extra layer of security when needed.
For more information about GPS trackers or GPS tracking software, please visit http://www.trackingtheworld.com.
Source: http://www.wjactv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/program-help-gps-track-autistic-children-1644.shtml
LandLine Magazine recently reported that a covert GPS tracking device allowed police in Florida to track and recover a tractor trailer containing clothing items. The trailer was stolen as it sat unattended in a truck stop parking lot. The retail shipment, abandoned by the thieves suspected to be monitoring police traffic, was tracked to a location only 30 miles from where it was stolen. According to the article, Florida has the highest percentage of cargo theft, clothing theft adds up to more than $300,000 per year, and approximately 85% of thefts occur due to rigs left running and unattended by their drivers.
Source: http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=26484#.UvVC2-mPLIU
Enduro Pro GPS Tracker Packages!
TrackingTheWorld recently announced the availability of all-inclusive GPS tracking packages for the New Year featuring the firm’s best-selling EnduroPro GPS tracking device.
Available through January 31, 2014, the packages include the EnduroPro, an extended life battery pack, choice of mini-magnetic case or ankle bracelet accessory, and three, six, or twelve months of GPS tracking service depending on the selected package (ranging in cost from $345-$545) .
“This offer is a convenient and very affordable way to get started in GPS tracking systems, or add to your current tracking devices,” said Gilbert Walz, CEO of TrackingTheWorld. For the New Year’s offer, TrackingTheWorld is also waiving its standard $69 activation fee.
The EnduroPro GPS tracking device included in the package offers is designed to provide reliable real time tracking data in extreme weather conditions, and is water resistant to IPX-5 standards. The professional-grade tracker is used for a broad range of applications, including asset tracking, covert tracking, personal protection, and law enforcement.
Time to first fix for the Enduro Pro is 29-seconds from a cold start, and less than one second from a hot start. The tracker includes a built-in motion sensor to extend battery life, which powers down the tracker when it is not in motion, resulting in one of the longest battery lives available for trackers of similar size.
The EnduroPro device is equipped to operate for up to 16-days on a single charge based on five minute reporting intervals and one hour of reporting per day, and can operate for up to 60-days using the dual-layered Lithium ion battery pack included in the limited time package offers. The magnetic battery pack is housed in a waterproof, crushproof Pelican™ case.
Each package offer also includes choice of either the Mini Mag Pro compact magnetic mounting case or the Enduro Ankle Case which allows the user to simply insert the EnduroPro into an adjustable bracelet designed to be worn around the ankle.
For more information about the above package offers, or to order, please call 650-692-8100. Phone orders only please.
In the aftermath of the tragic deaths of 19 Arizona firefighters, the Florida Forest Service is outfitting its firefighters on the frontlines with GPS tracking systems. Using GPS tracking software, supervisors will know the location of each firefighter at any time, and be able to reach them more quickly in the event of an emergency.
The new GPS tracking program is being implemented in hopes of increasing the safety of those closest to potentially deadly blazes, including those using bulldozers to push back fire lines. According to the forest service, the program is possibly the first of its kind for firefighters. The GPS tracking program does not require cell phone or Internet service, but rather relies on “packets” of electronic information sent to supervisors’ laptops provided they are within a two mile range of the GPS tracking device.
If you’ve read many posts on this blog, we often post about the benefits of GPS ankle bracelets for people at risk for wandering away or becoming the victim of exploitation or violence. Here’s a great story about how a GPS tracking wrist bracelet aided authorities in locating a mentally disabled man who had wondered away from home.
As a part of Project Lifesaver, a program launched by the Sarasota Police Department several years ago, the disabled man is one of 75 people considered at risk for wandering provided with GPS tracking bracelets. Participants include adults with dementia and other disabilities as well as children with autism and Down’s Syndrome.
The rescued man was safely recovered near Caspersen Beach, approximately two miles from his home. Authorities partially credit the use of the GPS tracking device for saving the man’s life, as it allowed them to locate him before the tide came in, which the man likely would not have survived.
After more than a month of following a snow leopard in Nepal, an adult “big cat” has successfully been fitted with a GPS tracking collar which will hopefully provide much insight into the roaming range behaviors, preferences and habitats of the elusive cats. In approximately the first two weeks of collecting data on the GPS collared leopard, it has been determined that the cat has roamed an area of more than 80 square kilometers.
Here are the latest bits of GPS tracking news we’ve found around the Web this week.
A vehicle linked to country music star, Wynonna Judd, was discovered to have been outfitted with a GPS tracking device. The device was discovered by a muffler shop and removed by police. Here’s the original story: http://tasteofcountry.com/gps-tracking-device-wynonna-judd/.
Robertson County, TN school may soon be getting GPS tracking software for school buses to monitor bus location and driving behavior of bus drivers. After approved by the school board, the he project is now under consideration by county officials. Source: http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20131113/ROBERTSON01/311130067/Buses-may-get-GPS-tracking
Wildlife biologists in Montana have successfully used GPS tracking devices (collars) to track the location of elk in the off season and were surprised to find that the three cow elk tracked moved more than 60 air miles from where they’re usually seen during the hunting season. Source: http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_e58bb456-4cd9-11e3-a2a7-001a4bcf887a.html
Our latest release, the World Tracker OBD GPS device for vehicle tracking is designed to plug in to the OBD diagnostic port of any vehicle, offering a quick and reliable option in GPS tracking systems.Easily installed in minutes, the tracking device requires a data SIM card for operation, and is equipped with a motion detection sensor to conserve power when the vehicle is not moving.
The GPS tracking device features G-force monitoring for harsh driving detection, real time GPS tracking, GPRS communication modes by UDP or TCP, longitude and latitude location, GSM mobile control, and compatibility with any GSM carrier. The device offers a hot start time of less than one second.
The WT-OBD is compatible with any GPS tracking software, including TrackingTheWorld software which allows users to monitor the tracker’s location, set virtual boundaries known as geo-fences, and create customized reports. TrackingTheWorld GPS tracking software also supports JPG and shapefiles.
Read more about the WorldTracker OBD.
To order, call 650-692-8100 or email sales@trackingtheworld.com.
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Florida and Iowa police departments are testing GPS tracking devices which enable them to fire sticky GPS “darts” at fleeing vehicles in hopes of cutting off dangerous, high-speed pursuits to increase both public and officer safety. Using a firing mechanism installed in the front of the police cruiser, officers can deploy the GPS tracking devices from the inside of their cars. The deployed GPS darts are designed to stick to fleeing vehicles allowing police to track them from a safe distance using GPS tracking software. Here’s another post on GPS tracking for law enforcement.
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Article Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57609416-71/police-firing-gps-tracking-bullets-at-cars-during-chases/
