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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 What Do Marathons and Trucking Have in Common? Preparation Is Always the Key One of the greatest challenges you can endure is running a marathon. It tests your physical and mental strength as you race your way through a scenic landscape and await the sight of the finish line. I’ve only run a half marathon once, and that was hard enough! You must prepare months in advance by running in different weather conditions and environments, building your endurance, and ensuring you’re in the right mindset to complete the race. I also had a gait analysis to match me with the perfect shoe for my style. Training for a marathon is very similar to how truckers prepare to hit the road. Truckers drive thousands of miles to reach their finish line. Just like a runner can’t show up on the day of an event and expect to perform to the best of their ability, truckers can’t simply hop inside their truck and hit the road. Preparation is key in both circumstances! For truck drivers, it’s imperative that they take preventive measures to ensure they can reach their destination safely. A semitruck can weigh between 10,000–80,000 lbs. Therefore, several processes and factors are at play to ensure everything runs smoothly. If a truck driver skips or forgets
APRIL 2023
a step, it could have serious repercussions. For example, they could have an overweight trailer, loose straps, unlogged hours, or worse, defective brakes. Truckers must conduct different inspections to ensure they and other drivers stay safe. One of these processes includes a pre-trip inspection. You must ensure all your tires are in good condition and your windshield wipers, mirrors, brakes, headlights, and emergency equipment are working correctly.
“Proper preparation is key to both trucking and running a marathon. That’s what I’ll be thinking about as I follow the Boston Marathon this April.”
You may also need to examine under the hood of your truck, the back of your truck, around your trailer, and even inside your cab! But that’s not all. After you receive your load, you want to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork, your trailer isn’t overloaded, and everything is properly secured. You also need to consult your GPS for roadblocks and check weather conditions. Truck driving has many moving parts — literally and figuratively! It’s not as simple as jumping into your truck and hitting the road. These inspections are vital to ensure the safety of the driver and others around them. Proper preparation is key to both trucking and running a marathon. That’s what I’ll be thinking about as I follow the Boston Marathon this April. I look up to our truckers who take these preventative measures and do everything possible to have a safe drive. I commend you all on the roles you play in our daily lives. Without you, none of us would have the lives we live today. Thank you for everything you’ve done and will continue to do!
–Paul Harman
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Never Doubt a Canine’s Senses ONE SNIFF CAN SAVE A LIFE
Dogs are known for their keen sense of smell — on TV, you will often see dogs that can find missing people or even search for drugs and bombs. When dogs use their extraordinary senses for a particular job, they’re often trained for that one purpose, but even without training, dogs do seem to know something is wrong.
The next day, Roger’s owners let him roam around outside. Roger began sniffing around Cohen’s home (some believe Roger had heard the man’s calls for help), and once Roger found the elderly man, he didn’t leave his side for the rest of the day. After a couple of hours, Frances Wall, Roger’s owner, began calling for Roger. When he didn’t immediately come home when she called, she started looking for him, and that’s when she found Roger and Cohen. She immediately called emergency services, and three firefighters came by the home to free Cohen. They quickly took him to the hospital because they worried about hypothermia. Over a week later, medical staff released Cohen from the hospital, and now he gives Roger treats whenever he sees him. “I owe my life to that dog. They [health care professionals] said that if I would’ve been there for a few more hours, I would have been a goner,” Cohen told Bournemouth Daily Echo.
Roger, the Jack Russell terrier-poodle mix, is a great example.
Our story takes place in Ringwood, England, in December 2022. Winter was in full swing, with temperatures below freezing. No one wanted to find themselves outside in the cold for too long because it could be dangerous. Unfortunately, that’s what happened to 94-year-old Morris Cohen, and he almost died. Cohen just got home and parked his car in the garage when he found himself in a spot of trouble. As he tried to exit his vehicle, his walking stick suddenly snapped
in half. Unable to keep his balance, Cohen fell and became wedged under his car’s brake and clutch pedals. The man called for help several times, but unfortunately, no one could hear his pleas, and he remained stuck overnight.
Fortunately for Cohen, Roger’s amazing canine senses saved the day. It’s always great to have a furry friend around — you never know when their incredible skills will come in handy!
EYES ON THE ROAD! Be on the Lookout for Distracted Drivers
Our lives are filled with various distractions — other people, our electronic devices, music, articles, and more. Some of these distractions can also follow us while we’re driving. How many people would you count if you were to track active drivers on their phones? Probably a lot! Distracted driving, primarily cellphone use, is a leading cause of car accidents. California has strict laws against cellphone use while operating a motor vehicle. A recent change makes a second conviction within three years count as a DMV Negligent Operator Point against your license. While driving a vehicle, commercial or non-commercial, it’s imperative that the road has your undivided attention. However, we understand that sometimes you use your phone for more than just communication — you may need to look at your phone for GPS navigation. In this instance, it’s best to keep your phone in a holder near your console. The law allows for limited phone operation if it is properly mounted.
the same for others. But there are some methods that ensure your safety and that of drivers around you.
As you’re driving, please pay attention to your surroundings. Provide a comfortable distance between your vehicle and those around you so you make an evasive maneuver if necessary.
It’s also best to look ahead in preparation of braking or changing lanes to avoid an accident. Braking and signaling early will ensure you don’t hit cars in front of you and notify drivers behind you that you’re slowing down or switching lanes. While you may concentrate on the road and avoid distractions when navigating the highways and byways, accidents can still occur. If you or someone you know is dealing with a traffic citation, please allow Bigger & Harman to assist you. We will happily lift some of the weight off your shoulders during this time.
While you may not use your phone on the road or participate in other distracted driving activities, you won’t always be able to say
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There may be times while you’re on the road when you need to sleep in your truck overnight. What happens in these cases if you need to go someplace to buy supplies or eat? Can you operate your commercial motor vehicle (CMV) after hours? Fortunately, you can use your CMV when you’re off duty in limited circumstances. Here’s what you need to know. WHAT IS PERSONAL CONVEYANCE? This term describes using a CMV for personal reasons rather than transporting a load. Personal conveyance allows truckers to use their CMV for daily activities without violating federal hours of service (HOS) regulations. Personal conveyance can be a valuable tool for truckers attending to personal matters. It can also improve your quality of life since you can participate in desired activities without being penalized. Can I Drive My CMV After Hours? PERSONAL CONVEYANCE BENEFITS TRUCK DRIVERS!
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
Thanks to your 40 referrals in February, we were able to donate $800 to fight human trafficking. To learn more about International Justice Mission, please go to IJM.org. MISSION: To protect the poor from violence by rescuing victims, bringing the criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. Our long-term vision is to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice for the poor unstoppable.
However, there are some rules you must follow. You cannot use personal conveyance to advance a load. It can only be used for personal care.
WHAT CAN YOU DO IN YOUR CMV UNDER PERSONAL CONVEYANCE? •
Travel to restaurants, entertainment, or another hotel if you don’t want to sleep overnight in your CMV Transport personal property or travel from a trailer drop site or terminal to your home
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WHEN IS TRANSPORTATION NOT CONSIDERED A PERSONAL CONVEYANCE? •
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” PROVERBS 16:3
Refueling the truck or motor coach Picking up parts for the CMV Moving your CMV for fleet convenience, like parking at a shipping dock Driving with other passengers or property that isn’t yours
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Traveling to a shipping yard
Anything work-related is not personal conveyance!
One main concern associated with personal conveyance is that truckers have the potential to abuse it. Some drivers may argue something was for personal use to prevent HOS violations. Therefore, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires carriers to establish policies and proper use of personal conveyance. However, if you’re having difficulty with HOS or FMCSA violations, please allow us to assist you. We will be happy to listen to your concerns and provide strategies to help you with your issue.
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, 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
What Do Marathons and Trucking Have in Common? ............................................... PAGE 1
Roger to the Rescue............................................ PAGE 2
How Many Distracted Drivers Can You Spot?....................................................... PAGE 2
Can I Drive My CMV After Hours?..................... PAGE 3
Putting Together a Self-Care Routine............. 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!
DEVELOPING A SELF-CARE ROUTINE FIND MORE ‘YOU’ TIME
MAKE TIME FOR HOBBIES. Most people find themselves constantly juggling countless tasks and obligations. With so much to do, making time for your least favorite activities likely won’t happen; instead, do something you enjoy. After all, self-care is about you! Yoga, reading, journaling, jogging, and meditating are just a few ways to get in some “you time.” If you like it, do it! PLAN YOUR SELF-CARE TIME. Without adding self-care to your schedule, your healthy behaviors may get placed on the back burner. Block off time for your favorite activities: Once it’s on your calendar, you’re more likely to work a routine into your day. KEEP IT SIMPLE. Complex rituals may create more stress or anxiety when you should be relaxing. Instead, keep it simple by focusing on relaxing, breathing, and recharging. Go for a walk in the park, take a nap, get a massage, stretch, or take a few moments to do absolutely nothing. Simplicity is the key.
Life isn’t easy — when juggling a career, family, children, social obligations, and housework, finding time for yourself can be difficult. Studies show that roughly 59% of individuals only make time for self-care after they’ve become stressed out. Here are some ways to develop a healthy routine that suits your busy life. BECOME INTENTIONAL. When developing a self-care ritual, it’s essential to identify your reasons behind taking better care of yourself and to pinpoint your needs. With a clear vision and motive behind your efforts, developing healthy habits to nurture and incorporate into your everyday routine becomes easier. CREATE LARGE AND SMALL SELF-CARE OPTIONS. You don’t need to do the same self-care ritual all the time, but make it a point to do something for yourself every day. On busier days, you may only have a moment to take a few deep breaths and mentally reset, but on other days, you may have time for a relaxing bath, massage, workout, or pedicure.
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