Take a look at our newsletter this month!
Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS , APC BIGGER
THE DAILY DRIVER Attorneys Defending Your Right to the Road
APRIL 2020
MY SISTER
THE ONE WHO SHOWED ME THE WORLD
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to share stories of my travels in this newsletter. From driving down the autobahn to making my way through the crowded streets of Kampala, I’m fortunate enough to have had some great experiences around the globe. So I’m glad that in this edition I finally have an excuse to thank the person who gave me my love of travel in the first place: my sister Rachelle. While it may not be as well known as Mother’s or Father’s Day, April 10 marks Siblings Day, a time when brothers and sisters have a chance to show their appreciation for one another. I know this is something siblings can easily forget to do in their day-to-day lives, especially when they’re young. Rachelle and I weren’t any different — we were constantly at each other’s throats when we were kids. Fortunately, we grew close as we grew a little older. It took the two of us getting some distance to really come to understand what we meant to one another. My sister went off to college in Southern California, back when our family was still living in Oregon. Shortly after we dropped her off on campus, I realized how different life at home would be without her and how much I missed the things we used to do together. I wasn’t alone. One or two weeks after starting college, my sister unexpectedly came home for a visit. That’s how I knew she was homesick — you don’t make a 30-hour round-trip drive two weeks after your last one unless you really want to be somewhere. We started writing letters. Soon enough, we were great pen pals and, in a way, closer than we’d been under the same roof. This laid the groundwork for Rachelle to open a whole new world to me.
My sister was able to take a semester abroad in England, and with weekend trips to Ireland, she caught the travel bug. When she graduated and got a job in Virginia, she’d invite me out and take me to amazing cities all over the East Coast. Those were my first real adventures far from home, and they inspired me to start planning trips even farther afield. Somehow, Rachelle and I never got a chance to travel outside of North America together, until now.
“RACHELLE AND I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA TOGETHER, UNTIL NOW.”
Next month, coronavirus willing, she and I will take our parents to Ireland to celebrate
their 50th wedding anniversary. Naturally, she instigated the trip and has been instrumental in putting it all together. There are so many qualities in Rachelle I admire, from her abilities as a writer to her tenacity in homeschooling her kids while running a business from home. But I couldn’t think of anything more fitting for our relationship than being able to spend time with my sister traveling.
As we both learned all those years ago, you can make some of your closest bonds in the farthest flung places.
– Mark Bigger
(661) 859-1177 | 1
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
SO, WHAT IS 5G? A NEW HORIZON IN WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
Few things change faster than the internet, and how we connect with the internet is constantly evolving. When it comes to wireless capabilities, fourth-generation (4G) networks have been the norm for 10 years. But 4G couldn’t meet demands forever, and there’s already talk of a fifth- generation (5G) network taking center stage. So, what makes 5G different from 4G, and how will it affect consumers and their internet-enabled devices? WHAT ARE THE BASICS? Simply put, 5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology that enables mobile devices like cellphones and stationary devices like desktop computers to send and receive data without being physically connected to a network via cables. As
technology improves and more connection points are established around the globe, new network generations are “released” to represent significant advancements in speed and reach. HOW POWERFUL WILL IT BE? Consumers will notice the rise of 5G mostly with their smartphones. Apps and services that function using the internet will have fewer delays, faster loading times, more reliable internet access in remote locations, and more stable downloading and uploading capabilities. Experts predict that 5G will provide download speeds of up to 10,000 megabits per second, which is roughly 100 times faster than 4G. While it can take a 4G network upward of 15 seconds to download a simple 5-megabyte
music file, a 5G network will be able to download an entire movie in less than two seconds. WHAT’S NEXT? These network updates are all about speed, but that doesn’t mean you should rush to switch your cellphone over to 5G. Many providers are still testing the service with select markets, and a full rollout of 5G isn’t expected until later this year. Check with your network provider about the options they currently offer and get ready to connect with the world like never before.
THREATS TRUCKERS FACE EVERY DAY DANGERS OF THE OPEN ROAD
Even without the dangers that come with delivering supplies during the coronavirus pandemic, truckers face a lot of dangers. Long drives, tight schedules, tough regulations — it’s hard work being a trucker. In fact, sometimes these stressors can take people’s focus away from another important fact about life as a professional driver: It’s hazardous. Here are just a few of the dangers these CDL holders face every time they get behind the wheel. OTHER DRIVERS For as nervous as passing big trucks can make an amateur roadtripper, they and their sedan are likely the real threat on the road. Thanks to many great safety features being implemented in fleets across the country, truck accidents have been in steady decline, but no amount of safety features can save you from the unpredictable and ill-advised actions of other drivers. A trucker’s only defense against deadly accidents is remaining alert and compensating for the rash actions of those they share the road with. It’s a thankless job, but it saves lives. HEALTH More than the looming threat of a violent accident, long-term health complications can be a real source of stress for drivers. Truck stops
and roadside diners aren’t exactly famous for their healthy menu items, and being seated for hours on end adds a few extra barriers to getting good exercise. Being sedentary for so long can lead to a host of chronic back, neck, and shoulder problems, so even finding the time to stretch and walk around during a break is a critical part of a trucker’s routine. ONE BAD TICKET While the above hazards may threaten a CDL holder’s life, getting a ticket threatens their livelihood. Beyond the fines and court fees, a run-in with the law can cost a trucker a hefty sum in increased insurance premiums and lost employment. With so many stressors to deal with on the road, it’s easy to make a mistake in the eyes of highway patrol officers. Thankfully, truck drivers don’t have to deal with this threat on their own. Expert traffic attorneys like Mark Bigger and Paul Harman specialize in defending the rights of the hardest working people on the road. They understand just how much is at stake with a ticket and will fight to safeguard the future.
2 | www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
RADAR DETECTORS CAN DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD
Some new truckers often make the mistake of going a little too far when it comes to avoiding speeding tickets. Since it’s perfectly acceptable to carry lidar or radar detectors (not jammers) in private vehicles, a few CDL holders may think of placing such a tool in their commercial rig. This can land even the most well-meaning drivers in hot water. AN UNDERSTANDABLE CONCERN Speeding tickets can often feel like they come out of nowhere. Maybe you missed a sign while passing another truck and find yourself getting fined for going 55 in a 40 mph zone, for example. This one mistake can be bad enough as it is, but if the sign you missed was also designating a school or construction zone, you could be facing a serious violation. These risks can make it tempting to carry a detector to circumvent speed traps, but trust us, these devices aren’t worth the trouble. FROM BAD TO WORSE If a detector is caught in your truck, whether because you were pulled over for another violation or were inspected at a weigh station, you can be charged with a crime. This can turn a simple inspection into a costly incident, or it can add to the penalties you’d already be facing due to whichever violation got you pulled over. The risk of carrying one of these devices is often not worth it. NOT EVEN USEFUL In case anyone out there believes radar detectors will keep them safe from speeding tickets, let’s throw some cold water on that idea. While radar detectors may have been magic bullets for getting around speed traps a few decades ago, radar is everywhere now. Today, most traffic lights and even some private vehicles will set off a scanner, making it little more than a beeping annoyance. Worse still, even if you only use it in your own car, police can still write you a ticket for having it on your dashboard or hanging from your rearview mirror, since the unsanctioned device may interfere with your ability to see. CHP will often start looking for other violations if they believe someone is using a radar detector in their truck. As you probably are aware, everyone drives over 55. Get pulled over for going 58 mph and the next thing you know, your logbook and load is being checked for any possible violation. Be careful out there, and if you are a trucker, be careful relying on an illegal radar detector.
PUZZLE
BUNNY DAISY EARTH EASTER
EGGS FOOL GARDEN PASSOVER
POLLEN PRANK RAMADAN TAXES
(661) 859-1177 | 3
, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER
Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1701 Westwind Drive Suite 203 Bakersfield, CA 93301
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Where Mark Got His Love of Travel................................ PAGE 1
5G Made Simple................................... PAGE 2
Top 3 Dangers to Truckers................ PAGE 2
Beware of Radar Detector. ............... PAGE 3
Face Masks WON’T Protect You From COVID-19............................ PAGE 4
Have a ticket in California? Give us a call, and we’ll help you out! Regardless of the location, we can point you in the right direction free of charge!
MASK MYTHS BUSTED THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF MEDICAL FACE MASKS
Since the COVID-19 outbreak first made international headlines, many medical professionals recommended the use of medical face masks to help slow the infection rate. Up until now, the use of masks by the average member of the public was discouraged. But this month the White House doubled down and is now recommending that everyone should consider using masks to slow the spread. But if a mask is worn, it should be worn correctly. Those who do wear them often do so incorrectly, which does little to prevent the infection from spreading. DO NOT ADJUST YOUR FACE MASK WHILE WEARING IT. If you need to wear a face mask, wash your hands before putting it on and make sure it covers your entire mouth and nose. There should be no gaps between your face and the mask, and you should not touch the mask while wearing it. If you do accidentally touch the mask, immediately apply hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and warm water. YOU CANNOT WEAR THE SAME FACE MASK ALL DAY. Medical face masks must be replaced as soon as they become damp. When removing your face mask, avoid touching the front of the mask. Remove the mask from behind, discard into a closed bin, and clean your hands right away. Never reuse a single-use face mask.
The most important thing to remember is that while medical face masks may be useful in certain situations, they do not provide guaranteed protection against catching or spreading the virus. According to the WHO, “Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.” Keep washing your hands!
4 | www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
Made with FlippingBook Publishing Software