A recent investigation conducted by the Sun Sentinel revealed nearly 800 officers from several law enforcement agencies driving 90 to 130 mph over the course of 13 months. What makes matters worse, is many of the speeding occurred while the officers were off-duty, commuting to and from work, according the the GPS tracking information gathered from the vehicles. Hypocrisy is a hard pill to swallow, and it can be incredibly frustrating to see a cop doing 90 on the freeway, knowing that you’d get a fat fine for the same behavior.

The eye-opening study provoked police chiefs in South Florida to crack down on speeding cops. “At the very least, the most severe ones are going to lose their [take-home] car right now,” he explained. “If you don’t address the problem and you don’t hand out significant discipline with it … then the message is it’s OK. This is not OK.”

“They need to be held accountable for their actions and disciplined accordingly if they break the law,” said Davie Mayor Judy Paul. Speeding police vehicles have been responsible for at least 320 crashes since 2004, resulting in 19 deaths, seven of whom were officers. The police departments have been rather lax on speeding cops in the past, issuing written reminders to obey traffic laws rather than speeding tickets. “If it can’t be justified, it can’t be tolerated,” Said Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti. “We’re not above the law, and if we’re going to enforce the law, we have to obey it.”

Some of the proposed solutions include ticketing officers who break the law, and programing the GPS tracking devices on the cars to notify the department when the vehicle reaches a certain speed. Sunrise Commissioner Sheila Alu, a state prosecutor, takes a strong stand on the issue. “You can’t hide the fact that some officers are abusing the law,” she said. “We need to get our head out of the sand.”

“Port operations must keep pace with improved technologies that will save time, track movements and improve communication,” said Port Metro Vancouver’s vice president of planning and operations, Peter Xotta. He added, “This is an exciting new program. Thanks to the volunteers from the local container drayage community, we will be able to determine how this technology will have a meaningful, positive impact on daily business operations on the terminal and for the trucking community.”

How does one volunteer for this pilot program? You need only hold a permit or license in their Truck Licensing System. Training will be provided, and cost isn’t an issue. The port has stated installation and the GPS tracking system itself will be provided free of charge.

What does the port hope will happen with this program? It is believed the introduction of the GPS tracking device will prove an important way to send and receive information that will help make the process more efficient. Truckers can be alerted to a traffic jam that they may be approaching and directed around it in real-time. Dispatchers can communicate important route change information easily and instantly, and even see how long each truck had to spend at the terminal, possibly settling the old he-said-she-said disputes. The GPS system can set the record straight, once and for all.

Louise Yako spoke for the B.C. Trucking Association, of which she is the president, in favor of this plan. “With an anticipated increase in container volumes and a looming driver shortage, we need to use every tool available to ensure port intermodal operations are as efficient as they can be. We’re encouraged to see Port Metro Vancouver working in consultation with the container drayage sector, which is a vital link in the Asia Pacific Gateway.”

It was an unfortunate accident and Indian authorities are understandably angry. Directly opening fire on anyone in a case other than self-defense is unacceptable, and the guilty parties will be brought to justice. Correct protocol would have been to  activate the emergency communication plan and issue distress calls on the open VHF Channels, alerting Indian warships and the proper authorities. At that point, Enrica Lexie should have taken passive measures, such as warning shots and water cannons, but for reasons yet to be determined, the crew opened with “shoot-to-kill” measures.

The responsible parties on-board Enrica Lexie will be brought to justice. The problem lies with jurisdiction, and where they were be tried. The Indian government, who represents the victims, are hoping the case falls in their territory. Under the Indian Penal Code, Indian laws are enforceable up to 12 nautical miles from their shoreline. Fortunately, the ship was equipped with GPS tracking technology, so authorities can narrow down the exact location of the Enrica Lexie when the shooting took place. According to preliminary readings, the ship was 18 to 20 miles off the Indian coast, placing jurisdiction with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“NTIA, the federal agency that coordinates spectrum uses for the military and other federal government entities, has now concluded that there is no practical way to mitigate potential interference at this time,” said Tammy Sun, an agency spokeswoman. “Consequently, the commission will not lift the prohibition on LightSquared.” Despite LightSquared’s cries of foul-play, Sun adds, “the commission clearly stated from the outset that harmful interference to GPS would not be permitted.”

LightSquared has been quite vocal about their disappointment in the FCC’s decision. “In this case, the government decided to choose winners and losers. Politicians, rather than engineers and scientists, dictated the solution to the problem from Washington,” said Sanjiv Ahuja, LightSquared’s CEO. “To leave this problem unresolved is the height of bureaucratic irresponsibility and undermines the very principles that once made America the best place in the world to do business.”

LightSquared has repeatedly suggested that the problem lies with overly sensitive GPS signal receivers. They even suggested outfitting existing receivers with devices to make them less sensitive to other signals from nearby spectrums. Unfortunately, the solution was considered impractical by policy makers. “Interference of the GPS signal would have cost American small businesses billions of dollars to retrofit their current devices — adding yet another significant cost burden that would cause more harm to our already unstable economy,” explained Sam Graves (R-Mo.), House Small Business Committee Chairman. He adds that he had hoped “that we can find a way to have a win-win on this issue.”

Three teens ended up in handcuffs, arrested for stealing GPS devices from parked cars in the area of Cardinal Lane by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies Jordan Grabar and Jason Clark apprehended two of the three suspects, one 17 the other two 16, following a brief chase through the yards of residents and a wooded area. The third teen turned himself in. All three of them were found with stolen GPS devices, all believed to be taken from the numerous unlocked vehicles they came across. All three of the teens face charges of petit larceny and the obstruction of governmental administration. They were released to their parents and given summons to appear at the Town of Grand Island Court; date to be determined.

Rocky Mountain Tracking would like to remind all owners of hand held or dash-mounted GPS navigational devices to lock your vehicles if you must leave the device inside. If you don’t wish to bring it in at night (which is your best protection against vehicle break-ins), be sure to conceal the device somewhere within your vehicle to deter thieves from breaking in even if you lock the doors. The glove compartment, a center console, or even under your seat offer thieves no clue as to the existence of your GPS device.

Thieves love to get their hands on GPS devices in this economy. To protect your investment, please follow this simple advice by making it appear as if you have nothing worth stealing.

Cell phone use while driving is an epidemic in the U.S., and it is causing deaths nationwide. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended a nationwide ban on all use of cellular phones while driving. Unfortunately, auto accidents related to cell phone use are more common now than drunk driving. The NTSB recommendation has been met with enthusiasm among government agencies and legislators.

Two years ago in Gray Summit, MO, a massive collision occurred involving a vehicle, a Bobtail, and two school busses. Thirty-five passengers were injured, and two were killed—including an individual at the back of one of the school busses. The case outlined above is not an isolated one by any means. Cell phone use while driving must be stopped.

If those changes are legislated, drivers would no longer be permitted to use smart phone GPS features while driving. GPS devices fall outside the realm of such legislation, and would be permitted. In other words, if laws are passed banning cell phone use while driving, standalone GPS sales may skyrocket. The only factor that would prevent a resurgence in GPS sales is the integration of GPS features into most new automobiles.

As legislators debate how to stop cell phone use while driving, the GPS industry continues to search for new ways to innovate GPS products to make them palatable for consumers worldwide. The result, no doubt, may be a heyday for the consumer GPS industry, once thought to be on the razor’s edge of extinction.

Those who participated gathered to represent his initials “AG” in Kansas, which according to Andy’s friend Kory Hartman in a tribute broadcast on the Weather Channel was “one of Andy’s favorite places to chase.” GPS location information is a valuable resource for storm chasers, making it a fitting way to remember their late friend. “We lost not only the best close-range tornado chaser in the world, but such a caring, loyal friend,” said Reed Timmer, Discovery Storm Chaser.

The chasing community coordinated the first of its kind, GPS location-based tribute using the Spotter Network, the website officially trained storm chasers use to report any storm activity.  “Andy was a new breed of storm chaser that pushed the limits of what any of us thought was possible. He inspired an entire generation of chasers to pursue their passion,” said the Weather Channel’s Mike Bettes, meteorologist and tornado chaser.

A crash involving four cars claimed the life of Gabrielson on Saturday, February 4 ^th. According to weather.com, he was traveling home from Texas after chasing a storm when a driver traveling westbound in Sapulpa, OK crossed into the eastbound lane. Besides Gabrielson, one other person was killed in the accident.

Donations are being collected by the chase community. All proceeds will go to Gabrielson’s three year old daughter. Also in the works is a possible scholarship fund for students of meteorology, being coordinated by Gabrielson’s parents. Meteorology was his passion: “Weather is ever changing, my friend. That’s why I keep coming back.” He was 25 years old.

Police arrested Coverstone-Jenkins as he attempted to sell the jewelry to a shopping mall jewelry store. The GPS tracker aided police as they obtained visual proof of Coverstone-Jenkins’ alleged crimes. He now rests in jail, facing 14 charges including grand larceny.  Unfortunately, that case is now up in the air thanks to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that requires a warrant for such tracking. When police fitted Coverstone-Jenkins’ vehicle with a GPS, it was done without a warrant.

It is apparent that the Supreme Court’s ruling is already having a huge impact on crime-fighting activities large and small, nationwide. The original Supreme Court case involved a Washington D.C. nightclub owner named Antoine Jones, who was tracked via GPS in a manner similar to Kameron Dee Coverstone-Jenkins. Jones, an accused drug kingpin, found his case in front of the Supreme Court for a decision regarding the constitutionality of GPS tracking without a warrant.

Fans of the television show “The Wire” understand that modern technology plays a vital role in the conviction and capture of drug lords nationwide. Law enforcement relies on modern technology in the same manner that modern intelligence services do. The battle is won not just on the streets, but over the airwaves as well: hacking, encryption, and GPS tracking all function together as police and drug lords wage their war.

The Supreme Court ruling is either a speed bump or a monkey wrench in the modern US crime fighting machine. Obtaining a warrant for GPS tracking will no doubt slow down American crime fighting efforts. The irony of the supreme court decision is the sheer number of Americans volunteer incriminating, private information online.

Lockheed-Martin and the United States Air Force are in the process of replacing all GPS satellites used for commercial or consumer applications. The upgrade is called Block III. The satellite system for consumers, including iPhones, Androids, and other GPS trackers is called SPS (Standard Positioning Service).

The upgrade does not reflect a giant leap forward in modern technology. Rather, it reflects the United States giving permission for corporations to use technology that is already fantastic. The government puts strict regulations over how accurate privately controlled satellites are allowed to be, including GPS satellites. The new regulations just allow existing GPS technology to be more accurate.

Why were the regs lowered now? Apparently, there has been a gigantic swell of GPS use worldwide (big surprise), and its consumer applications are stunning. Individual consumers may use GPS tracking for safety purposes, to drive to a destination, to track a hike or long distance run. Companies can administer truck fleets and accurately track the movement of goods worldwide. The explosion of GPS use promises to make the world a more functional, efficient place.

As the world economy teeters on the brink, as it has for several years now, the best way for industry to move forward is through innovation. The US needs to innovate using GPS technology. China, Japan, and Russia have competitive GPS satellite systems in orbit as well. In fact, the very future of the world economy may be orbiting the earth right now.

Block III promises to make GPS tracking an even more integral part of not just our personal lives, but modern industry as well. As the US loosens its regulations governing the power and accuracy of GPS satellites, modern innovators become more free to bring GPS tracking technology to the world.

Currently, the transportation department splits up the bus contract between two districts: District 108 (the Grade School District) and District 303 (Pekin Community High School District.) Not for long, however, as the two will soon become one. This move will save each district some money, as routes will now be created by computer software to make them more efficient. Yes, there is currently software in use by District 108 (which it thoughtfully shares with District 303), but it is missing one key feature popular in the transportation industry: GPS tracking. “The current software sets routes and boundaries,” explains Ty Whitford, Pekin’s transportation director. “But it doesn’t monitor the buses.”

Beginning next school year, Whitford will be able to see the GPS location data for the city’s fleet of 66 buses. The software is key to alerting school officials whether or not a child got on or off the bus at any address on the list of riders or if they were skipped, and will hold the driver accountable accordingly.  The software will also show the speed each bus travels at any time.

“There will be no more he-said-she-said” in cases where motorists report buses traveling too fast or slow or stopping traffic longer than necessary during their pick-ups and drop-offs,” explained Whitford. This software also allows parents to log on to a website to view the exact route their child travels each day to their respective school.

Both of the school districts and the city share the $35,000 cost of the new software, but it will ultimately belong to the city. Glayn Worrell, Business Manager of District 108, points out that merging the two districts’ bus services into one “will be looked on favorably by the state,” and hopes that this means an increase in revenue down the road.  “The state is looking at changing its transportation reimbursement formula,” Worrell confirms, and he should know.  He participated in a focus group of various school officials on the very subject.

“There is no incentive now for being efficient” to reduce transportation costs, but Worrell feels that the state will look to what happens in Pekin in the hopes it works out, at which point legislators may consider doing the same elsewhere in the state.