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Thursday, August 12, 2010
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| Are you conforming to California State Law? |
| Posted by: UncleMark |
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So you do business with the DMV in California and you obtain driver's and vehicle records using the Compass Driving Record / Datalink system. Here's a couple of interesting items of information you may not remember:
Do I need to keep any logs of the information I request?
Yes. You must establish and maintain daily logs and source documents which track the receipt, use, and dissemination of DMV information. These logs and documents must be available to DMV auditors upon request.
What information must the log contain?
The log must contain the following information for every transaction:
* Requester code
* Date of request
* Name of the subject of request
* Information requested (Driver License, Vin/Hin #, Vehicle/Vessel Plate #)
* Reason or purpose for the request and supporting documentation as necessary
* Cross-reference to the corresponding supporting documentation, e.g., file/case #, account #, inventory/control #, etc.
How long must the log be retained?
The log and required documentation must be kept for two years from the date of the request by any requester who requests or receives confidential information not for resale in accordance with California Code of Regulations 350.48(c).
So... The question is; Are you keeping those logs? Where? Do they have the detail as specified above?
Relax! As a company partner, you are covered. In the event that the Dept. of Motor Vehicles requires that you submit your logs, Compass Driving Records will always have on hand a version of the log file that will have all of that information as outlined above.
Of course, that being said, there are some who would feel more comfortable having that order detail sent to them on a monthly basis so that they have, on site, the details as required by the CA DMV. And as a benefit to those customers, we can e-mail a detail to you each and every month.
Send an e-mail to support@imvrs.com and state that you would like to be placed on the Order Detail e-mail list. Once you have signed up, you will receive an Excel file of the orders you placed for the previous month. That's it. You need do nothing else.
Here comes the real question.
Why is Compass Driving Records doing this?
The answer is simple. We know the business that you are in. We are here to provide you with products and services that are not offered by other companies and we do it at a price that is affordable. For this Order Detail e-mail list, we charge nothing. Try getting that from some of those other large corporations.
Why aren't all companies like mine using your services?
And that, my friends, is a very good question!
Until next time...
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Category: August 2010 |
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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| Why am I trying so hard to get something so simple? |
| Posted by: unclemark |
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In reality, most DMV/DOT's work very much the same way. The information on the physical driver's license is how the information is stored in the computer's database. That information is what is required in the search parameter so that we can retrieve the associated record.
A case in point; Mr. Jones walks into your office. He tells you his tale; you get set to run his DL information. He tells you his last name is Jones (simple name, why would you ask him to spell it?) and that his DL# is D3344551. Seven out of ten times this is sufficient to obtain a valid record detailing his driver's history. But for this demonstration you get a ?No Record Found? report. What happened?
You query Mr. Jones on his information. He tells you its all true and correct. Yet you know that it can't be correct, since you have a report showing you that the information is unavailable with the information he previously provided. So you ask for his actual driver's license document. And this is where things get interesting.
Mr. Jones's DL says his number is D3434551 (which is not what he told you initially, or you copied the DL # down incorrectly) and his last name is spelled Johnes. Using the information you now have, you are able to obtain a valid report showing you that he is an excellent candidate for your product.
Now let's dabble in some ?what ifs??
Going back to our original inquiry; What if you had entered Mr. Johnes name correctly but used the original driver's license number (D3344551; that we now know is wrong)? The DMV report would tell you that the driver's license number and the name do not match.
We just presented you with two distinct "no valid information" outcomes. The ?Record Not Found? is one type of no-hit and the ?DL# and Name do not match? is another. ?Record Not Found? means that the name and DL were not found. In other words, the name and the DL do match any entry in the DMV/DOT database; end of story. However, ?DL# and Name do not match? means that one or the other was found, but they are not sufficient to return a record based on only one portion of the information presented.
As you can see, accurate information is critical to getting a valid report on behalf of your customer.
Let?s work another case?
What if Linda Hockhammer is in your office. You're not quite sure how the driver?s license handles the name. So you ask for the DL document. Sure enough, her name is shown as:
Linda Blue-Hockhammer
So, now the question is, is the complete last name Blue-Hockhammer, Hockhammer or just Blue?
Most states treat the names the exact same way. The last full name field (no space before it) is the true last name that you need to search on. In this case, the last name is Blue-Hockhammer.
However, to illustrate the point?
Take this person's name: Hiram Paul Johnson III
His license shows the name just as you see it here. Knowing what you know, you determine that the last full name field is ?III?. It's the very last ?no space? field on the license. In effect, his last name is III, not Johnson (actually his last name is Johnson, however the license says it's III; this was a true case not so long ago; don't think it can't happen). The same logic follows for someone who has this name; David D. Robinson Jr. The last full name field is ?Jr.? Normally, you would input the last name as Robinson, but the license has a field after Robinson and it is ?Jr.?
One last example? Let's see if you can get this right.
Brenda Lee says she wants insurance. You think her last name is Lee. It is, sort of. The license shows her name as Brenda Lee Stamos Miller. The last name to be used for obtaining driving record is? You guessed it, Miller. The last full name field on the license is the value you use to obtain your report. However, she told you she is divorced from Mr. Miller and her last name is Lee. By reviewing the DL, you know what information you will need to obtain a valid record.
Remember; the DL document is the defining arbiter.
But we are not done yet... In fact, you can help us.
In CDR's implementation of the web portal, simple was paramount. I say "was" because many of our users are voicing concerns. In today's market, it seems "hit" accuracy is a lot more critical than simple and they are willing to sacrifice fast data entry.
So the question is, "If the data entry engine in the web portal required the entry of a date of birth for all California license entries, would you like it or dislike it even if your "hit" ratio went up by 10 percent?
Now think about it... Right now you have to enter a reference code, the last name and the license number (to some this is already a lot of data entry). We would add a date of birth field that must be completed. Now you have a reference code, last name, drivers license number and a date of birth field. Is that acceptable? Or would you like a "setup" switch that would allow you to turn the DOB requirement on or off?
I think you can quickly guess that having the actual license presented to you so that you can copy the name down exactly as it's shown on the document is critical to getting accurate information the very first time.
However, in an effort to improve your experience with the web portal, we are willing to make changes. And unlike other companies, we are asking for your ideas and/or thoughts on making the change. Would it be better, or worse?
Is it a change you could live with?
Let me know by sending me an e-mail to me with your thoughts and comments.
Until next time...
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Category: July 2010 |
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Friday, June 18, 2010
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| DMV Report Card... Rules of the road! |
| Posted by: UncleMark |
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Are they really working?
CA DMV Laws? Are they really working? Here then is Uncle Mark's report card of some of California's dumbest (OK, maybe not dumb, but laws that are regularly violated almost on a day-to-day basis) traffic laws to date.
Ready??? Let's explore then, shall we???
The Looky-Loo Law - Also known as the rubber-neckin', sight-seeing, secondary crash causer. Yes Aunt Margaret, there is such a law. This law was passed to make it illegal to rubber neck when you pass a traffic accident or construction site. True, most officers are a bit more concerned about the incident than you driving your car and gawking at the ?site banal?, but I hardly think they would ticket anyone unless you were making an outright scene. That being said, the true ?looky-loo? exists and it runs true to form on every accident site you have to travel around.
So, is this law working? I give it a solid D-.
Smog Certification - The DMV is to tell us when we are supposed to get a smog test done on our vehicles. If our vehicle passes a mandated set of standards, we get our registration renewed. Yet, traveling the roads and freeways are some big ugly cars (some old, some new), that are belching out smoke and smells that make me reach for the recirculation button on my cars A/C ? Heat system. On the license plate is a brand new sticker which means that this car passed the smog test. All I can ask is how the heck did they get that (besides stealing it off of some car in a parking lot) car to pass?
And how is this law working? Not bad, some smokers are off the road, but it's not fool proof. I give it a B-.
Cell Phone Use / Texting ? You know the ones? holding their new iPhone in their lap and texting someone about how the cat threw up on the lawn or some such crapola all while doing 75MPH on the freeway. And then there are the folks who still have to hold the phone up to the ear. They can't get the car to go any faster than 40MPH when they do this. And the very thought of staying between the lines? You can forget about that. Accidents involving inattention because of cell phone use have gone up over the last six months. Is it working? You tell me?
My grade for this idiotic law that has no hope of doing anything is a solid F.
Lights On when using wipers ? Oh yeah? this is working. Two weeks ago, we had one heck of a rain storm during rush hour drive home. If 50% of the cars on the freeway had their lights on, I would eat the car. My windshield wipers were going like crazy, spray and mist that could shroud a whale. Yet some bozos still traveled with their lights out and plowing along at 65 looking just like a gray ghost on the highway? yet the car is a bright red. Go figure.
Working or not? My grade is a C-.
Car pool lanes ? You betcha. There are no car pool lane violators, right?
My grade is a D+.
Lane choice while towing ? You see these guys; towing some type of bumper pull trailer (usually some nice looking bathing suit barge or some such nonsense) sitting in the far left lane of a six lane freeway doing just under the speed limit. Looking cool and acting like they got the world by the tail, they weave their way down the highway thinking they have no issues and wonder why all the folks moving around them are saluting them with the middle finger. They sure as heck aren't passing anyone and if they were, they just decided it was too much trouble to change lanes back to the right, so they stay where they are.
Do the legal eagles enforce it? Naw? It is way too much trouble for a $45 ticket. My grade is a B-.
Prima facie speed law ? Maybe a bit of clarification of this one. The law reads: ?21654. (a) Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. (b) If a vehicle is being driven at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time, and is not being driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, it shall constitute prima facie evidence that the driver is operating the vehicle in violation of subdivision (a) of this section.?
This was not made up? it is the law. My grade is a solid D+.
We've done a good job in making rules and/or laws to live/drive by. Enforcing them is suspect but I'm not one to harp on that. It's the understanding and the knowledge of those folks that are driving the two and three thousand pound unguided missiles that concern me. So in effect, I am grading on the knowledge of the driver's that surround me on a day to day basis. As you read the above, did you know the rules and regulations? If you questioned one or more, then it would be wise to get the Driver's License Handbook and study up.
So... these are my grades? Not good enough to get into college with if you ask me. With this report card, I'd have to redo the same grade. Can I suggest a guideline for the State of CA driver's? Every four years you would have to take a driver's test. It would be a pain, but it would keep folks honest in their knowledge of the rules of the road.
Until next time?
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Category: June 2010 |
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
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| Passwords? Passwords? and more passwords? |
| Posted by: UncleMark |
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With all of the ID theft going around, passwords that are used to protect information are becoming the norm rather than the exception. With CDR's web based information system and the FSC / iBridge interface becoming wildly popular, the password mechanism now begins to carry with it a lot of responsibility.
First and foremost
Rules to live by:
- 1. Passwords must be changed every 60 days.
- 2. Your passwords are to be used by you and no one else.
- 3. If you think your password has been compromised, you should change it immediately.
- 4. Notify your security manager if the problem persists.
- 5. Passwords are always CASE SENSITIVE.
So if the above rules are to apply to you, this means that every 60 days you should change your password. Anyone who has been doing this for any length of time will tell you that you will change your password quite a bit over a one year period. So keeping track of a password can be a bit of a chore, if you use a different password every time the CDR system asks you to change it.
Changing your password from Delta41x to Arbiter5 and then to 66LimaP is OK. But when did you change it? Was it 66Limap or 66PLima? You can see that changing the base password can be very confusing. The tendency is to forget the password, call up CDR and just get it reset. This means that you might be spending time away from your client, which in some cases, it's time you cannot afford to lose.
Create a changeable password
If you are a savvy user of passwords, you know what a changeable password is. Here's CDR's definition of a changeable password. A changeable password consists of a base password of between 5 and 7 characters and a 2 to 3 digit counter added to the end. For example: Suppose I want a base password that I will always remember of "Window". My changeable password would them be Window01. Each time I need to change my password, I increment (add one to) the two numbers at the far right. So my new password would end up being Window02 and Window03 and so on?
No one else knows my base password. My base password of "Window" is something I will remember each and every time I log onto the CDR system. I just have to remember the counter and I will just adjust the counter by adding one (1) to the numbers on the end so that I am not stressing when I need to change my password. I can also place a sticky note to my monitor with just the three numbers on the sticky note. The sticky note tells me what the counter is on my changeable password. I DO NOT PUT MY BASE PASSWORD ON THE STICKY NOTE! I always know what the base password is; it's the actual counter number that I may have trouble remembering.
When CDR's web based or iBridge application tells me I have to change my password, I always add one to my counter and my password is good for another 60 days. Easy, simple and quick.
Just remember: If you feel your base password has been compromised, change your base password (using the information you have learned here) immediately and notify your security manager.
We try to help
CDR's database system can also help you in the event you are getting close to a point in time that you have to change your password. Using a date flag, we can notify you via e-mail when your password is due to expire. When your password expire date is less than 15 days away, the CDR system will send out an e-mail telling you that your password is about to expire. If you don't change your password in three (3) days, it will warn you again. Every three (3) days until the password expires, the system will try and warn you to change your password. If you get this email notice, think about changing your password as soon as you log onto the web based system.
If the e-mail notification mechanism sounds like something you should be getting, yet you have expiring password issues, you can send an e-mail from the e-mail address that you would like to have us notify to support@imvrs.com asking to be placed on the Expire Password Notification System. In the e-mail, provide us with your login name, your client code and your current e-mail address. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR PASSWORD or PASSWORD COUNTER. Just tell us in the body of the email that you would like to be placed on CDR's Password email system.
For FSC/iBridge users, there is no easy way to change the password unless the system tells you to change it. However, using the web based interface, you can log in under your user name, Client ID and current password, and use the TOOLS selection from the tool bar to find the Change Password applet.
If your password has expired, you will need to contact CDR to have us reset it to a temporary password and once you log in, the system will ask you to reset your permanent password that you will use for the next 60 days. REMEMBER: You can use the CHAT system to get a password reset. Just go to the CDR website at www.imvrs.com and click on the CHAT button on the left side of the screen.
EDITORS NOTE: Making your base password complicated can be a very good thing. For example: Consider a base password of GH65!*m. Adding a two digit counter to this base is really the best kind of mechanism you can use to make your password unbreakable.
Until next time...
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Category: May 2010 |
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Monday, March 29, 2010
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| We all share the road... |
| Posted by: UncleMark |
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It was with a sad heart that I read the following...
"The Arizona Republic - Mar. 26, 2010 12:00 AM; Investigators are searching for answers in a fiery crash that killed three motorcyclists and injured six others when a commercial truck plowed into the back of the group in north Phoenix.
"In what police described as a "horrific accident," eight motorcycles carrying nine people were stopped at the intersection of 27th Drive and Carefree Highway on Thursday afternoon when the truck barreled through, pinning three bodies underneath before bursting into flames, police said."
I share this with you after a lively discussion that I had about the State of California Office of Traffic Safety placing a unique message on lighted bill boards that dot California's major highways. Those bill boards advised driver's to "Share the road. Look twice for motorcyclists". Those with whom I was having the discussion thought that motorcycles and their driver's are maniacs and that they should watch out for cars.
There were many comments about those of us on two wheels that practice the weaving in between cars. Known as "lane sharing" or "lane splitting", it is legal in California and most drivers object to those riders who practice this form of highway travel.
Another shared the disdain for groups or "packs" of motorcycle riders traveling on "his" roads. It seems that these packs hold up traffic on roads where he travels and can complicate an intersection with all of them turning at the same time causing traffic to back up.
Last but not least is the noise. Several folks wondered why these motorcycles have no mufflers on them. One lady stated that those pocket rocket bikes have a muffler, but the high pitched buzzing sound "puts my teeth on edge..."
The conversation eventually focused on the car and truck driver's responsibility. Some of those in the discussion said that they wouldn't feel a bit of remorse if they changed lanes on a freeway and a motorcycle accident occurred because the driver was lane splitting. Others seemed to think that the tragedy in Arizona could have been averted if the motorcycle was a bit more obvious. Someone even voiced that he had turned right in front of a motorcyclist because he didn't see him or couldn't see him when he glanced at oncoming traffic and that it's the motorcyclists fault.
My concern was the way that these folks "see" the motorcyclist in general.
"All those motorcycle guys take chances, weave in and out of the lanes and pull wheelies where ever they are. It's their own fault if they get hurt or killed."
Not everyone voiced this opinion, but after this statement was made, I had to jump in... With both feet... and very irritated to boot.
The Arizona accident occurred because the truck driver had his attention focused on a pile of paperwork that lay in the seat next to him. The motorcycle riders had stopped and were waiting for the light to change when this vehicle took three lives and injured the rest. Is that an acceptable outcome?
Yes, riders will weave in and out of traffic and "split lanes". It's legal to do so as long as your speed is appropriate for the conditions. If you pull over into another car and an accident occurs, who is responsible? You are. If you pull over into a motorcyclist and an accident occurs, who is responsible? You are. And if you kill that rider? Who is responsible?
Motorcycle riders always "talk" about those people that drive in cars and trucks. They talk about almost being hit by inattentive driver's who are more focused on their cell phone, newspaper, kids... anything other than their driving. It is a well known axiom in the two wheeled community that if you ride a motorcycle, you are to think of yourself as invisible. Every time I get on my motorcycle, I know that the axiom is true and many of the driver's in cars and trucks will not see me and will make decisions based on them not seeing me.
Yes, motorcycles can be loud. You want to change that? Vote for someone in the next election who will ask for change in the laws about loud motorcycles. Send a letter to your local representatives about loud motorcycles. Tell them to get off their duff and fix something that needs fixing.
Yes, riders can be stupid and do stunts in traffic. You want to change that? Tell the police, send them an e-mail, send a letter and be specific. Did you get a license plate? Exact location of the incident? Number of driver's involved?
Yes, rider's can form up into groups and travel the highways and byways. Are they doing the speed limit? If they are, aren't you the one at fault for trying to do more than the speed limit? If they are doing less than the limit, can't you find an alternate route, pass when you get a chance or just pull over and take a break for three to five minutes?
Yes, riders can and will weave in and out of traffic and "lane split". It's allowed by law.
What isn't allowed by law is the injury, or the taking of anyone's life, due to your negligence, inattentiveness or aggression. Motorcycles are a part of the vehicle code. They must adhere to the same rules and regulations that cars and trucks do with some minor exceptions. In some cases, motorcyclists are required to be better prepared to travel in traffic than automobile driver's do. Can you see someone driving to work in a four wheeled vehicle wearing a helmet?
The tragedy that happened in Arizona could just have easily happened here in California or any other state in the union. I will not make excuses for those individuals who like to disobey the laws, and this includes driving, physics and human nature. For most of those motorcycle drivers who abide by the law, they need to know that you are paying attention and looking out for your fellow man.
After all, the lit sign that California decided to display was meant to be just a reminder, not an admonishment.
Share the road. Look twice for motorcyclists...
Uncle Mark
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Category: March 2010 |
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Wednesday, March 03, 2010
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| Customer Service... |
| Posted by: UncleMark |
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I was told a long time ago by my grand-father that in any kind of occupation, one should be helpful - even if there's no immediate profit in it.
When I first started my career in the MVR business, customer service was the norm. Each person that called and asked for my support was treated with the utmost of respect. I lived and breathed customer service and for many, many years, I thought that everyone else thought the same. However, many companies today have convoluted the idea of customer service.
Today, customer service might be a series of computer aided telephone prompts, Internet menus taking you to nowhere in particular, e-mail that never gets answered and web based CHAT systems that are not really monitored.
Before you think that all of this is a rant on support systems for the customer, let's hold those opinions for a bit.
Customers expect efficient and accurate customer service. Many times they feel that they should be somehow compensated if the results are not as they expect. In many respects, those expectation can be a bit unhinged. For example, a question or a problem is expected to be dealt with immediately and correctly and if it isn't, then some form of gratuity or refund is expected for the fault found in the support.
But let's look at this for just a moment. Those folks on the other end of the phone line or chat system are trying to help using guidelines that may deal with the information provided. And sometimes that information is not really the right information... or correct information.
Case in point: In the driver's license or vehicle registration business, we get all kinds of information requests. A driver's license number of "A83412943" for the State of Oklahoma will not fly. Why? The DL format of the State of Oklahoma is nine numbers. The number provided has a letter in it. Yet, as a customer, you will swear that the information you have provided is correct and you need the DL for this driver. You tried using the services we offer to obtain this information, but, it wasn't able to find the information. It returned a "No-Hit" record (information not found).
I might offer a number of helpful tips were I involved in the above scenario. You might try a couple of those ideas in order to obtain the driver's license data. During those attempts you may not obtain any viable information based on what you were told as a guide and you may have been charged during those attempts.
But that's the point. Sometimes those of us in customer service are trying to help based on what we are being told or what was told to you. Accuracy of the answer can only be as good as the information provided. In retrospect, you find out that the license document in the possession of the driver is actually "883412943" and with that correct information, you are able to obtain your report.
Let' me restate that above paragraph; Unless you can provide a document or photograph of the driver's license / plate / tag / VIN, the best information that a customer service person can give you may not be entirely accurate and could only be used as a guide in obtaining the desired results.
Those of us at Compass Driving Records in MVR customer service arena try and provide top-notch service. About 95% of time we are helpful. It's the other 5% where we are just expected to know or deduce all of the known values input into a service scenario... Sometimes it just can't be done.
Let's face it, frustration with the whole support scenario can ensue. It's a fact of life you and I both deal with on a daily basis. Just remember that we do the best we can with the information provided. If we cannot give you a complete answer, we will make every attempt to find the solution and get back to you with valid answers. It can take time. And you can help by providing written or photographic evidence that can substantiate the issue at hand.
I truly believe that everyone asking for help should be treated with the utmost of respect.
At Compass Driving Records, customer support is not an after thought... that I promise you. We will always try and help you by providing our ideas, responses and suggestions. You can help by making sure we have the right information when the information being provided might be suspect.
Uncle Mark
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Category: March 2010 |
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Tuesday, February 02, 2010
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| A cautious approach... |
| Posted by: UncleMark |
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What is the longest word that can be written using just one key of a cell phone (i.e. ABC, DEF, GHI, etc)?
Uncle Mark's First Cell Phone
The longest words that can be made with each key of a mobile phone, according to The Electronic Alveary, are:
ABC - abaca, bacca, Cabba;
DEF - deeded;
GHI - high;
JKL - none;
MNO - moon, mono, no-no, noon;
PQRS - none;
TUV - tut-tut;
WXYZ - none.
So? Why the cell phone trivia? Because I almost got side swiped on the freeway by someone texting on his cell phone... And I'm not going to take it anymore!
We are a nation so highly addicted to personal technology that we are endangering the lives of ourselves, our loved ones, and others in our communities. The cell phone, as well as other portable devices that we driver's can/could use to play games, listen to music or provide directions, should now be outlawed. PERMANENTLY!
Harsh, you say? Please... Here in California, we added a little used law which makes it a moving violation to use a non-hands free cell phone device in your car. That $25 fine has deterred no one from using their cell phone as I watch a ?spiffed-up? SUV driver intently concentrating on something pressed up against his ear as he wanders down the highway.
At some point, someone is going to get a clue. It may have to be the insurance companies that become involved in changing the laws so that stiffer penalties, higher insurance rates, etc. are levied in the event someone is caught using some type of personal electronic device while driving. It may come down to requiring new cell phones have an accelerometer or accurate GPS system that can tell when the phone is moving faster than 5 miles per hour. If it is moving over a pre set time/distance limit, the phone stops working for everything except dialing 911. In effect, you could use the cell phone while you are stopped at a light, but once the car starts moving, the cell phone ceases to function.
Look... At one time, radios in cars were deemed a dangerous experiment. It was thought that the folks driving a complicated machine like a car could not concentrate on driving and listening to someone talking at them all at the same time. Back then, cars were five times more complicated to operate. We have come a long way, but so have radios in cars. Today we have auto tune, press one button play settings... the radio/vehicle manufacturers have changed to make it safer to use a radio in an automobile.
But in the above scenario, we are talking about a car and a radio. The two are not able to be separated. Once we exit the vehicle, the cell phone goes with us. It's designed to keep us in contact with the world, our email, news, family, friends and even allows us to play games. In a car, this connected device involvement is like playing Russian roulette.
OK, so everyone complains about it. No one has a solution... Well... I do.
1. All cell phones must have some disabling device in the event it is traveling more than 5 miles per hour.
2. Fines and/or penalties for using a cell phone (or any other hand held electronic device) are the same as the fines for DUI.
3. Insurance companies offer a 10% to 25% discount on personal cell phones that have an active movement detector.
4. If it is determined that you were using any type of hand held device, and you are at fault in an accident, whether a loss of life occurred or not, you must face the same charge as DUI.
5. Parents of underage cell phone users who are charged or fined are just as guilty, and must share in any and all penalties.
The three consequences of using a hand held device while driving are this:
1. Nothing - there are no consequences
2. Injury - someone gets hurt in an accident
3. Death - someone looses his/her life
Two out of three consequences are bodily harm. And one of those choices is a blatant disregard for life and a true case of observing the Lazarus Complex. No one can resurrect you from the dead and you cannot fully repay someone for their injuries or the loss of life suffered because of your negligence.
We need to do something today to keep those of us who use cars and trucks for transportation safe from the inadvertent loss of concentration by other drivers due to hand held device use. It is estimated that damage caused by the use of cell phones alone approaches 6 million dollars per month. And it now shows signs of growing exponentially.
For me? I am doing my part... I don't use my cell phone when I am in my car. I look at it this way, we didn't have cell phones 30 years ago, and things still managed to get done. The call will have to wait. I am pretty sure there is no reason that anyone absolutely has to have the use of a cell phone while driving in their car. I am also vocal about it... to my State legislature, to friends, family, you... Someone has to take on the cause. I guess that will be me.
Use your cell phone in your car? Just don't do it... be a hero during your drive.
Uncle Mark
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Category: February 2010 |
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