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Toll-Free (661) 859-1177 Se Habla Español www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS , APC BIGGER
DAILY
THE
DRIVER Attorneys Defending Your Right to the Road
AUGUST 2019
BIRTHDAY BOYS
What Mark and Tom Brady Have in Common
If you’re a longtime reader of this newsletter, you know our firm is divided when it comes to the NFL. I’m a lifelong New England fan, and Mark despises Tom Brady with all the passion you’d expect from a Seahawks season ticket holder. Which is why it’s so funny Mark shares a birthday with the Patriots’ star quarterback: Aug. 3. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize these two men have even more in common than their date of birth. I can think of no better birthday present to my law partner than to present him with this list. First and foremost, both Mark and Brady leave no stone unturned when it comes to doing their job. It’s a well-known fact that nobody studies more tape or prepares harder for the big game than Tom Brady. Similarly, nobody is more prepared for court than Mark. He will dive into county records and subpoena maintenance reports if it means defending a client’s right to drive. Both men are also masters of adapting to their competition. Whether it’s Brady calling an audible after reading the defensive line or Mark changing strategies to get ahead of the prosecution, neither is afraid to be flexible in a pinch. This ability to read a situation and respond effectively makes these two stand out among their peers. Beyond their own personal talents, both men also make a difference for their team. Much like Brady, Mark takes on the mantle of team captain well. He can always be counted on to boost morale here at the firm, whether it’s through his positive attitude or a well-thought-out strategy. And, just like all great leaders, these two aren’t afraid to take responsibility when the team is on the back foot. While these professional similarities are all well and good, I’d argue our birthday boys are even more similar on a personal level, regardless of how much trepidation that may cause Mark.
Both men are conscious about what they eat, with Mark being a vegetarian and Brady almost entirely giving up meat. They take their health seriously for themselves as well as for the teams they play for. And, of course, the two undeniably share a love of football, so much so that both men have been to more Super Bowls than any of their team members. Mark’s been to the big game twice — Brady nine times. Jokes aside, the greatest comparison I can make to these two men is there’s no one else I’d rather have on my team. Mark’s the closest thing to
The greatest comparison I can make to these two men is there’s no one else I’d rather have on my team.”
a star quarterback a lawyer can be, and watching his dedication and skill have taught me a great deal. Furthermore, his friendship and competitive camaraderie ensure that I always look forward to coming into the office.
Happy birthday,
–Paul Harman
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HEROISM FROM AN UNEXPECTED SOURCE Meet the Rats That Sniff Out Land Mines
When you think of animals that could be considered heroic, giant rats probably aren’t the first creatures that pop into your head. Many people still think of them as filthy, disease-ridden little thieves that deserve eradication rather than a medal. But one nongovernmental organization (NGO) has proven just how heroic rats can be by training them to detect land mines and, in turn, save lives. Over 60 countries worldwide still feel the effects of wars past every time someone steps on an unactivated land mine. Dogs and metal detectors have traditionally been used to find and safely detonate land mines in these countries, but both methods are costly and time-consuming. A human with a metal detector could take up to four days to
clear a 2,000 square foot area of any land mines, and people knew there had to be a faster, safer way. Tanzania-based NGO APOPO found the answer: African giant pouched rats. These rats have several advantages over dogs and humans when it comes to detecting land mines. While they are bigger than your average pet rat — some can be as large as a cat — they’re still light enough that they won’t detonate a land mine if they stand on one. Though they have poor eyesight, they make up for that deficiency with an incredible sense of smell. A fully trained rat can sniff amounts of TNT as small as 29 grams and distinguish it from other industrial substances like motor oil and battery acid.
Along with these innate qualities, pouched rats are easy and cheap to train. While a dog can only bond with and work for one master, rats will sniff out land mines under any person’s direction, so long as they get a tasty treat afterward. They can search a 2,000 square foot area in 20 minutes, saving humans from days of dangerous, meticulous work. Between 1995 and 2015, APOPO’s rats found about 13,200 mines in Africa and Southeast Asia. Today, their programs are still going strong, proving that heroism can be found in even the most unlikely of animals.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT TRUCKING SCHOOL FOR YOU
How to Identify California’s Best Trucking Schools
JOB PLACEMENT Job placement is available from so many trucking schools now that choosing one without it doesn’t make sense. Check this box to set yourself up for success. INSTRUCTION The best schools offer one-on-one training with experienced drivers, trip planning, and map reading. Look for all three in order to put yourself in the best position to pass the CDL exam. STUDENT REVIEWS Student reviews can tell you things about a school you’d never have thought to ask. Try visiting TruckDrivingSchoolsInfo.com, which lists 130 California CDL trucking schools complete with student reviews. Once you’ve chosen a school, earned your CDL, and hit the road, you’ll have something else to think about: traffic tickets. In a perfect world, you’d never get them, but the truth is mistakes do happen, and even one ticket can end your career. If you’re ever faced with a traffic ticket in the California, Bigger & Harman can help. Although we can’t always get a dismissal or reduced no-point conviction, we have an excellent success rate and are always willing to go to bat for you. Call 661-859- 1177 if you need assistance.
Not all trucking schools are created equal, so, if you plan to earn a living driving trucks, think carefully before choosing one. Although attending a trucking school isn’t mandatory to earn a commercial driver’s license, the behind-the- wheel experience, mentorship, possible financing, and job placement this schooling can provide is often priceless. As a basic rule, consider these five things when choosing a trucking school: location, tuition, job placement, instruction, and student reviews. LOCATION There’s no point considering tuition until you’ve thought about location. If your perfect school is too far from home, boarding costs could price it out of reach. Map out your top schools and realistically evaluate each option. TUITION All trucking schools charge tuition, but some offer placement with trucking companies after graduation who will pay it for you or pay 90% after you pass the CDL exam. Some schools also offer payment options, tuition assistance, or free tuition through the G.I. Bill. Be sure to look into every possibility.
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WEIGHING IN ON VIOLATIONS 5 MOST COMMON ROADSIDE INSPECTION VIOLATIONS
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION Thanks to your referrals, we were able to give $560 to fight human trafficking. To learn more about International Justice Mission, please go to www.IJM.com 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. MISSION:
If you’re making your way through the Sierras, you’re likely stopping at the Donner Pass weigh station. Every year, this stop racks up quite a number of roadside inspection violations, which put truckers’ licenses in jeopardy. So, we did our homework and found the five most common Donner Pass violations truckers fall prey to. LIGHTS AND REFLECTORS This one isn’t surprising — lights and reflectors make up 28% of all roadside violations. Still, failing to notice these problems before getting to a weigh station will cost you. A bad light is a six-point Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) violation, while faulty reflectors or reflector tape are three points apiece. Always file a Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR), and carry extra light bulbs and fuses to avoid this. BRAKES A whopping 25% of annual violations have to do with brakes. Most of these come from adjustment issues, but, regardless of the problem, you’re looking at four-point CSA violation. Again, always conduct a DVIR. Also remember it takes two people to check the stroke correctly, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. LOG VIOLATIONS These violations are costly but very preventable. Each form and manner violation runs you one CSA point each, which can add up. If your log isn’t current, you’re looking at a whopping five points. Logs need to be current as of your last duty status change, so get in the habit of updating your log. TIRES Half of all tire violations are because of tread depth, something that should be caught by any thorough DVIR. Steering (front) tires must have two-sixteenths inch tread, and all others must have one-sixteenth. While checking your tread depth, also gauge your air pressure for good measure. MEDICAL ISSUES Sometimes truckers pay so much attention to caring for their rig, they forget to take care of themselves. Driving while ill or fatigued will cost you 10 CSA points. It is always better to pull over and take a rest than risk your license, or worse, an accident.
PUZZLE
AUGUST BACK CHILDREN CHILLY
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, APC HARMAN CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BIGGER
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A Lawyer Like Tom Brady ............ PAGE 1
How These Rats Save Lives ......... PAGE 2
Choosing the Right Trucking School for You ............... PAGE 2
5 Most Common Roadside Inspection Violations ................... PAGE 3
Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings ........................ 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!
When Airbnb was founded a little over a decade ago, the developers hoped to provide an alternative to traditional travel accommodations. Today, with annual revenue in the billions, the service is an industry unto itself. While most people use Airbnb to “live like a local” while traveling, you can find some truly wacky lodging options if you spend some time searching the platform. Here are just a few of the many contenders for the title of “Weirdest Airbnb in the U.S.” For ease of searching, the listings here have the same titles as they do on Airbnb. AMERICA’S WEIRDEST AIRBNBS THIS AIN’T MOTEL 6!
apartment fashioned out of an airplane hangar surely takes the cake. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a theme restaurant featuring eclectic aviation. Memorabilia lines the walls with a bar front and center, and the bed is in a loft high above the ground.
BRAND NEW STUDIO EARTHSHIP Taos, New Mexico
Earthships, houses run by clean energy and featuring reused materials, are a fixture of the Taos area. This one, which looks almost like a crashing wave with a living space in its undertow, combines the rustic charm of truly getting away from it all with modern amenities like Wi- Fi and in-home laundry. It’s a truly unique living space surrounded by pristine nature and not far from the historic Taos Pueblo.
DOG BARK PARK INN B&B Cottonwood, Idaho
As you approach the Dog Bark Park Inn, you won’t have to guess if you’re in the right place. After all, how many buildings are shaped like beagles? When describing the space on Airbnb, the hosts make no bones about who this rental is aimed for. “Stay in a giant dog!” they say. In addition to being inside a massive wooden dog, you’ll find canine-themed games, books, and more. Talk about ruffing it.
MANCAVE APARTMENT/AIRPLANE HANGAR Geneva, Florida
Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their
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