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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
JANUARY 2025
How Thomas Paine Helped Shape a New Nation
When Thomas Paine published “Common Sense” 248 years ago this month, it was an immediate sensation.
on his private law practice, but he kept getting drawn into revolutionary activities by his cousin, Sam Adams, the head of the Sons of Liberty. John Adams’ wife, Abigail, also pressed him to support the
After the 47-page pamphlet hit the streets of Boston on Jan. 10, 1776, “Common Sense” was read aloud at taverns and meeting halls. Men in Boston (people in public life were mostly men back then) got fired up by Paine’s writing. The publication was a catalyst that touched off one of the most momentous rebellions in history. I like to talk about “Common Sense” for two reasons. First, publishing that pamphlet took a lot of bravery. Thomas Paine was immediately attacked by Loyalists for his views and risked being arrested and jailed by the king. Years later, he was tried in absentia by the British government and found guilty of seditious libel for his writings. Second, sometimes common sense is not very common. There is a lot to appreciate in the fact that Paine wrote down and synthesized these principles. While many people had been thinking along the same lines, others who read “Common Sense” may not have consciously thought about these principles but realized the minute they saw them in print, “Oh, that’s absolutely right!” At that time, most colonists opposed the rebellion and resisted declaring their independence. Their sense of identity was grounded in being a colony of Britain. They were also afraid of what would happen if they tried to chart a different course for themselves. But Boston was a hotbed of activity. Only a few cities in the colonies at that time had access to a printing press; historians estimate there were only about 50 printing presses in all 13 colonies. That enabled leaders in Boston to get their ideas out to people through the printed word. Paine estimated that 100,000 copies of “Common Sense” were sold within three months of its publication, a notable number given that the population of the 13 colonies was only about two million. The city also attracted a critical mass of talented people who inspired others around them to employ their talent and work ethic to serve the same cause. John Adams, for example, was focused
cause. Just as Silicon Valley has drawn countless talented people in the technology space, people concerned about principles of freedom came together in Boston to fight for them. If it weren’t for this influx of talented people who were committed to these principles, others would not have become so heavily involved. Eventually, the rebellion gained momentum and fed upon itself. As one of our Founding Fathers, Paine set an example I think we all should occasionally take time to follow: Write down what is important to you — what makes sense. Sometimes, we get so caught up in everyday life that we forget the important ideals that should guide our lives. In Paine’s case, the principles he set forth guided colonists’ decisions. He made his readers conscious of the fact that they were being governed without representation. While the focus might seem to have been high taxes, the bigger issue was that the colonists had no voice in how the revenue was used. They were just a bunch of colonies that Britain was using to feed its coffers — British subjects doing what they were told. Paine’s ability to state the founding principles clearly, repeat them with the courage of conviction, and remain firmly committed to them led people eventually to come around to his way of thinking. It’s an example of how, sometimes, if you just remain firm and committed, people will begin to see things your way.
In my view, that is an example worth remembering.
–Mark Bigger
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A CAT’S NOSE KNOWS
THE SILENT HEALER At first glance, Sullivan is already a special dog. An adorable white boxer with a dark patch of fur around his right eye, he’s the kind of canine humans of all ages instantly fall in love with. If his cuteness wasn’t enough, he’s best known in his community for bringing people together in extraordinary ways. Originally found in a shelter in Coachella, California, Sullivan — who is deaf — lives in Oregon with his guardian, Allyson Ridling. A social worker and family therapist, Ridling has made Sullivan’s sweet temperament and calming presence a significant part of her practice. After bringing Sullivan to reading sessions with children (much to the delight of the little ones in attendance), she began including him in walking sessions with her clients. Fluent in sign language, Ridling has also introduced Sullivan to hard-of-hearing people worldwide via online video chats. Early last year, Sullivan and Ridling received a 2024 Oregon Humane Society (OHS) Diamond Collar Award for their compassionate work. Thrilled by the honor, Ridling credits her animal companion with helping her clients find greater joy and comfort.
Meet the Boxer Who Changes Lives animal bond,” she says in a special OHS-produced YouTube video on the award. “That’s what they needed to help open up and take their next step moving forward in their life.”
The OHS was proud to honor Sullivan for his fantastic work with humans.
“As a therapy dog, Sullivan is a friendly presence for kids to practice their reading,” the organization says on its website. “His comfort helps those who are struggling to open up. [He] may not be able to hear, but his impact on the mental health of those around him speaks volumes.”
Proud of her furry friend’s loving nature and many achievements, Ridling believes that animals like Sullivan can work wonders for people’s therapeutic treatment. “I think the human/animal bond works really well because animals don’t judge. They have unconditional love to give people. As [a] society, we could all work better to strive to be as loving and caring [and] as open-minded as a dog can be.”
“Some of these people just needed to reconnect with love and feeling this undoubtable connection between the human and
The Open Road Loses Its Allure TRUCK DRIVER SHORTAGE
enough to replace those who are aging out. Fewer Americans of working age today are willing to spend most of their time away from loved ones, working irregular hours and sleeping in their trucks or at roadside motels. Also, shared-ride platforms and third-party delivery companies offering shorter trips and less stress are attracting many wannabe drivers who might in the past have become long‑haul truckers. While all states allow drivers to qualify for certain commercial driver's licenses at age 18, drivers must be 21 to haul freight across state lines. Some advocates are pressing for Washington to reduce that minimum age to 18. Other proposed solutions will require concessions by carriers. Raising per-mile wages and offering comprehensive benefits and bonuses for weekend driving and good performance could help. Adjusting schedules and load requirements would make it easier for drivers to be home at night. Offering job candidates specialized pay for training, and perhaps helping to pay for it, would also entice more younger adults to give trucking a try.
Help Wanted: Job requires days or weeks away from home at a time, fluctuating work hours, physical strain, tight government oversight, and paychecks that don’t stretch as far as they used to.
Job demands like these are discouraging more workers from applying for truck driving jobs, and the resulting shortage is putting a crimp in the supply chain and driving prices higher. A 2023 study in the American Journal of Transportation says the nation is short 80,000 commercial truck drivers and predicts the number will double by 2030. Some drivers’ organizations say the problem isn’t a shortage of people willing to do the job but low pay and long hours. Turnover among drivers at some carriers hits 100% a year as drivers leave in search of better pay, working conditions, and benefits, according to a National Public Radio report. Also, many older drivers are nearing retirement, and the truck driver lifestyle is less appealing to the younger generation. The International Road Transport Union reports that 30% of U.S. drivers are over age 55, and the newest generation of drivers is not large
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If a state trooper pulled your truck over today for an inspection, would your vehicle pass on all counts? Are You Ready? DOT BLITZ WEEK IS COMING! If your answer isn’t “yes,” this is a good time to shape up. This year’s three-day International Roadcheck, also known as Blitz Week, is scheduled for May 13–15. Safety officials from three countries collaborate during this annual event to inspect an average of 15 large trucks and buses per minute for maintenance or safety violations, from broken tail lights or worn tires to licensing or hours-of-service infractions. Commercial truck drivers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico can expect a thorough inspection of their brakes, exhaust, suspension, lights, and electronic log compliance. Last year, 47,743 vehicles were inspected during Blitz Week, and nearly 5% of them were placed out of service, mainly because of hours-of-service violations, followed by failure to hold a commercial driver’s license or medical
Your Referrals Make a Difference! Thanks to your 106 referrals in December, we were able to donate $1,620 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 .
card. False logs were the fourth most common infraction, according to the nonprofit Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, an international
nonprofit that aims to improve vehicle safety and enforcement. The Roadcheck is one part of a major vehicle enforcement campaign that also includes Operation Safe Driver Week from July 13–15, when officials will be on the lookout for lane- changers, tailgaters, and other risky driving
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” PSALM 73:26
behavior. A third initiative is Brake Safety Week on Aug. 24–30, in addition to an
unannounced, one-day brake system inspection blitz that can occur anytime.
Truckers who don’t pass can be hit with thousands of dollars in fines and a downgrade in their carrier’s safety rating, potentially raising their insurance premiums and limiting the freight the company can haul. As Mark wrote on this month’s cover, it’s only common sense. If you know an inspection is on tap, prepare for it now. The reward of letting maintenance needs slide today aren’t worth the risk that you might fail one of these scheduled inspections in the future.
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, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Pamphlet That Sparked a Revolution...... PAGE 1
A Deaf Dog’s Remarkable Journey.................. PAGE 2
The Uphill Battle to Solve the Truck Driver Shortage......................................... PAGE 2
Prepare for a Nationwide Safety Inspection Blitz..................................................... PAGE 3
Meaningful Mindsets for 2025 Resolutions..... 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!
Rethinking ‘Big Goals’ for Lasting Change NEW YEAR, NEW INTENTIONS
ADOPT AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. While we have so many things we could complain about, think about everything we have to be thankful for. The next time you start to complain about your job, be grateful you have one. Of course, gratitude isn’t always easy, but is it supposed to be? Even the slightest effort to adopt this mindset will change your life forever.
Have you created your New Year’s resolutions yet? If so, do you feel your goals are attainable? And how does that list serve you?
Let’s be honest about our New Year’s resolutions. Based on our 2024 goals, we should all be in the best shape of our lives. We would have beaten our smoking habit, have zero debt, and knocked two destinations off our bucket list by now! Unfortunately, many of us deviate from the commitments we set for ourselves in January. If you can truthfully say your life is better now than last year, then celebrate to your heart’s content. However, if your life hasn’t changed much since last year, it may be worthwhile to revisit your list and consider the following additions. MAKE AN IMPACT ON SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE. We’ve all got “stuff” going on in our lives, but maybe it’s time to pause and think about how to make someone else’s day. It can be as small as smiling at a stranger at the grocery store or sending “thinking of you” cards to friends and family. You’ll be surprised how doing for others will impact your own life.
EMBRACE WHAT’S MEANINGFUL TO YOU. There’s no better time than the present to lean into what matters most to you. Tell someone you love them the moment you feel it, apologize quickly, and hug them often. The time is now; we don’t know how long we have on this Earth. These resolutions aren’t fitness-focused, but they center on self-improvement for the long game. Be intentional with your resolutions. Remember, if you don’t put much thought into them, you will just as easily neglect them. Let’s be intentional in 2025!
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