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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
MARCH 2025
CALIFORNIA
CRACKDOWN
More Cops, More Tickets — Drive Carefully!
If it seems to you like more California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers are at work these days, patrolling the highways and pulling drivers over, you’re right! The number of tickets written by CHP has gone up. This trend started late last summer and has continued to escalate. CHP officers have been told to resume writing tickets at the levels that prevailed before the COVID-19 pandemic, based on information I’ve gathered from contacts in the legal and CHP communities. This new enforcement effort marks a change from the past. During the pandemic, we saw much less traffic for a while, so citations naturally went down. When traffic began moving again, enforcement efforts remained below pre-COVID levels. Around the same time, we were seeing a decline in morale and a rise in early retirements among CHP officers, perhaps driven partly by officers’ disenchantment with California’s pandemic-era restrictions and view of law enforcement. This overlapped with a decline in the number of new cadets graduating from the California Highway Patrol Academy — either because fewer people were enrolling or fewer candidates were making it to graduation. Whatever the cause, the result was fewer new officers to fill a growing number of vacancies, leaving many CHP offices understaffed. The bottom line: The number of traffic citations dropped drastically during and after the pandemic, and as of early last year, enforcement still hadn’t reached pre-COVID levels. Commercial truck drivers and other motorists got used to the relatively light enforcement. WAKE-UP CALL In the last 1 1/2 years, that trend has started to reverse. The Academy has begun graduating more new officers. More of them are out on the street, and they are being told to get out there and write tickets
— a lot of them. This has had a significant impact. We see officers alongside the road in higher numbers, pulling people over, and we are seeing larger numbers of tickets coming in. Another important change was that CHP officers were instructed to watch for violations by commercial trucks coming through Bakersfield. Construction on Hwy 99 made officers focus more on accident reconstruction and lane control than writing tickets. But now that most of the construction is over, CHP officers can focus on other responsibilities. GLOVES OFF But now, that elevated level of ticket tolerance is coming back down. That officer is more likely to pull the driver over and give them a ticket to raise their numbers. This change in enforcement isn’t only affecting truckers; because our clients are on the road all the time, it is hitting them disproportionately hard. Amid a significant rise in our case numbers, we provide the same service level as always. We don’t turn away truckers who need us and are not sacrificing any effort we invest in fighting cases. Also, we offer an additional service. We can now access and correct mistakes in your federal CSA safety score. If the information on your record is incorrect from a ticket we defended, we will challenge it for you. Meanwhile, this is a good time for truck drivers to be on heightened alert. If possible, put in a dash cam or other video device to gather evidence. If you get forced into the third lane and an officer, who perhaps didn’t see that, cites you, the footage can help with your defense. Evidence of that type can make the difference between 1 1/2 points on your license and no points at all!
–Mark Bigger
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A Black Lab’s Role in Transforming a Veteran’s Life Scout’s Meaningful Mission
For former U.S. Army Cavalry Scout Ryan Finch, life after his tour of duty was a battlefield of its own. Haunted by PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and the weight of his experiences, Ryan struggled to navigate even the simplest moments of daily life. But then Scout came into his life and became a lifeline, a symbol of hope, and a steadfast partner in his journey toward healing. Scout, a vibrant black Lab, has done more than help Ryan manage his anxiety; he’s transformed his world. Crowds and loud noises, once overwhelming triggers, are now manageable with Scout by his side. Soccer games, family gatherings, and the everyday joys of life that once seemed impossible are now part of Ryan’s new normal. Scout’s presence allows Ryan to enter spaces he never thought he’d enter again, not as a man weighed down by his past, but as a father, a husband, and a human being rediscovering connection. The story of how Scout came into Ryan’s life feels almost destined. Before his deployment, Ryan and his wife had adopted a black Lab, coincidentally named Scout, who died before Ryan went overseas and whose loss Ryan never truly reconciled as he was away from
home. So, when Ryan arrived at K9s For Warriors, and the trainers introduced him to his new service dog — a black Lab named
Scout — it was a moment of profound healing and renewal. It was as if life had come full circle, offering Ryan a second chance at hope.
K9s For Warriors is a testament to the life-changing power of service animals. Determined to combat the devastating reality that 20 veterans die by suicide every day, this program rescues and trains dogs to become service animals for veterans grappling with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. The result is transformative. Veterans find independence, confidence, and purpose, while rescue dogs gain a life of devotion and meaning. The impact is undeniable. Graduates of the program report mended family relationships, reduced medication reliance, and renewed joy in life. Ryan’s wife has seen the change firsthand, describing her husband as more engaged, animated, and hopeful for the future. Scout symbolizes resilience and proves that an incredible bond can heal even the deepest wounds.
Master the Chaos SURVIVE UNPREDICTABLE WORK SCHEDULES WITH YOUR HEALTH INTACT
movie, or music. Communicate with your employer as much as possible to reserve time when you can’t be disturbed — and speak up if your work schedule becomes unmanageable.
RECOVER SLEEP Incorporating workouts, walks, and time outdoors into your shifts can help you sleep more deeply. Naps can be helpful before a night drive but make time afterward to shake off the grogginess. Try as much as possible to keep the same sleep and wake-up times, even on off days. Use blackout curtains and white noise machines to help yourself wind down. FORTIFY FAMILY TIES Feeling cut off from friends and family can trigger sadness, anxiety, and even hypertension. Solutions for this problem are simple but not easy. Obviously, setting up regular video calls with loved ones or texting them during breaks can help. Involve your spouse and kids in planning your trips so they know when you will likely be free to connect. Consider bringing one of your kids along if rules permit. Also, make getaways with loved ones a top priority and invest some effort in planning them. “I manage my work-life balance by taking long stretches of time off,” wrote one trucker commenting on r/Truckers. Finally, remember the potential rewards for hanging in there. Share your financial and career goals with your loved ones. If you perform well, you may land better jobs that not only allow you to get home on nights and weekends but pay more as well.
Among the most significant drawbacks of a career as a professional truck driver is the unpredictability of work schedules.
Research shows that irregular work hours can lead to chronic sleep disturbances. Unpredictable schedules are also linked in research to stress and unhappiness. For newcomers to the job, particularly, “the planners choose when you sleep,” says a commenter on r/Truckers, a popular subreddit. Another novice driver calls himself “a clock with legs.”
Here are a few tips from industry sources and health care providers on coping with the consequences of disrupted body rhythms.
CONTROL YOUR OFF HOURS Create a restorative routine during the time you can control, focusing on pursuits you enjoy. Some drivers engage in the same restful activities at the beginning of each break, such as a podcast,
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FAIRER CRASH RATINGS Feds Expand List of ‘Non-Preventable Crashes’
Your Referrals Make a Difference! Thanks to your 124 referrals in February, we were able to donate $1,980 to help fight human trafficking and lead medical missions. INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION To learn more about International Justice Mission and their mission to protect half a billion vulnerable people from exploitation, please go to IJM.org . MEDICAL MISSIONS OUTREACH To learn more about showing God’s love by providing quality medical treatment to some of the poorest people in the world, visit the Medical Missions Outreach home page at Medical-Outreach.com .
Federal highway safety officials have broadened protections for truck drivers and carriers by expanding the way they define “non- preventable crashes” when assigning blame. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) added four new categories to the list of non-preventable accidents for which truckers can be held blameless, expanding the total to 21. The rules took effect on Dec. 1. Supporters say the changes make safety ratings fairer by protecting carriers and drivers against black marks on their safety records because of
unavoidable crashes. Crashes by commercial drivers are recorded in the FMCSA’s preemployment screening program, which prospective employers use in screening applicants. A motor carrier involved in a crash may submit a Request for Data Review (RDR), including a police accident report, photos, videos, and other evidence. If the agency determines the crash could not have been avoided, the incident is removed from the carrier’s safety Improvement rating. An owner-operator group objected to the continuing requirement that carriers and drivers bear the burden of collecting and submitting evidence to prove a crash was unpreventable. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said that burden should be transferred to the FMCSA. However, the FMCSA said it lacks access to some of the records necessary to adjudicate a request.
“Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things.” COLOSSIANS 1:15
Here are the crash types that have been added to the list:
• A commercial vehicle was struck on the side by a motorist driving in the same direction. • Another motorist entered the roadway from a private driveway or parking lot and struck a truck. • Another motorist lost control of their vehicle and hit a truck. • Any type of crash where a video is available that shows the sequence of events that led to the crash. Other types of non-preventable crashes that remain on the list include being hit by another motorist from behind, hitting a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction, being hit by someone who failed to stop at a red light, or colliding with someone who was driving drunk or had a heart attack or stroke.
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, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER
Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
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1701 Westwind Drive Suite 203 Bakersfield, CA 93301
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
An Uptick in Enforcement by CHP................... PAGE 1
K9s For Warriors Is Saving Veterans, One Rescue Dog at a Time................................ PAGE 2
Tips on Thriving Despite Ever-Changing Work Hours............................................................ PAGE 2
Feds Expand Trucker Protections Against Reckless Motorists .............................................. PAGE 3
Build a Positive Self-Image in Your Kids........ 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!
Raise Confident Kids 4 Tips Every Parent Should Follow
EXPRESS CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. Let your child know you’re not only proud of them but also that you know they can achieve their goals. This praise sets the stage for your child to share future goals — for example, making the basketball or cheerleading team. AVOID FORESHADOWING PRAISE WITH NEGATIVITY. This may be difficult for some parents, especially if they’ve had repeated obedience issues. If you’re proud of your child’s game-winning catch, avoid prefacing the statement with “Even though you didn’t cut the grass like I asked …” This can be considered the equivalent of a backhanded compliment, and no one responds well to those.
Praising your child has always been a “tricky” area of parenting. You want to raise your child to be a confident human being while also embodying what it means to be humble and appreciative. So, how do you stay within the bounds of instilling self- assurance without going overboard? While every child is different, several parenting approaches allow you to praise your child’s efforts without enabling arrogance. RECOGNIZE YOUR CHILD’S EFFORT IN ADDITION TO THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT. As parents, it’s easy to praise your child’s accomplishments without acknowledging all their hard work to achieve them. Suppose your child won first place in their school’s spelling bee. Instead of praising them for being the best, acknowledge how all their studying paid off.
ALIGN THE LEVEL OF PRAISE WITH THE ACCOMPLISHMENT. In other words, don’t overdo it. Parents are their children’s biggest cheerleaders, so it can be challenging to tame your emotions when they win or overcome a fear. This is, of course, at your discretion, but it’s something to be mindful of. Does winning the season’s first game warrant a big backyard party with all the bells and whistles? Everyone’s parenting styles differ, but instilling values such as believing in oneself, empathy, gratitude, and determination are qualities any parent can nurture in their children for the betterment of themselves and those around them.
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