More and more GPS users wake up and find their car window smashed. Housewives doing groceries or couples out for a weekend movie get back to their vehicle and find themselves in panic. Teenagers having enough of the mall trip get back to their cars and start calling their parents. They all have one experience in common – they find the GPS satellite navigation devices stolen from their vehicles.
Today, GPS theft reports continue to soar, despite consistent efforts of the local law enforcers and sufficient warnings from authorities. Although the satnavs aren’t perceived as those high-end luxury items like they used to be ten years ago, it doesn’t deter the thieves from stealing them from cars just the same. In fact, the GPS are probably the top-most hot item to snatch from the parked cars. These devices that come with helpful interactive maps and real-time satellite navigation continue to be attractive to thieves all over America and some parts of Canada.
The most targeted area by these unscrupulous thieves are places with huge numbers of parked cars such as a sports arena, malls, condo complexes and movie theaters. The number of reports regarding stolen satnavs is so huge that Connecticut police consider GPS thefts a national problem.
Meanwhile, the manufacturers of these hot-items are discouraged over the wave of petty crimes. GPS companies have reiterated that they have modified the devices smaller and more portable so they will not be left in cars and the glove compartments for thieves to feast on.
Local police enforcements have doubled their campaigns to protect GPS users from thieves, saying it’s always wise to remove GPS and other valuables from plain sight, and to always take your satnavs with you or place them in more secure areas of the car. Authorities have also encouraged the public to invest in an anti-theft device and never forget to keep car doors locked.
More details and related information could be found at montrealgazette.com
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Archive for the ‘Laws’ Category
Increasing GPS thefts alarms US citizens and authorities
Sunday, August 9th, 2009On the road safety along with being on track, the new law for drivers.
Friday, August 7th, 2009
A bill has been pushed by one staunch lawmaker to ban hand-held cellphones and prohibit text messaging when driving. Supported for its wisdom and effort to eliminate road accidents related to text messaging, the bill took effect on March 2008.
Now comes another wise bill calling to prohibit manual operation of GPS devices. Under such law, drivers will only be allowed to employ voice-activated systems to program devices while operated vehicle is in motion. If such law is passed, it would be the first of its kind in the United States.
Jersey City Democrat L. Harvey Smith introduced the bill on June 8, 2009 which states that only a voice activated GPS may be programmed while driving a car. Further, the bill proposes that violators will get a $100 fine for anyone caught text messaging or using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a car or any other vehicle.
Among the benefits included for the proposed bill would be that it will eliminate the hazards of manual GPS programming from behind the wheel. Even with GPS manuals clearly stating to avoid programming while driving, many remain stubborn and taking their chances at doing so.
The effort of Congressman Smith to combat distracted driving comes with a lot of opposition, saying manual GPS operations as similar to eating, changing DVD or CD, combing one’s hair or putting make up or a tie on while driving.
Still, many perceive a GPS device a distracting device like a satellite radio box with dozens of stations that streams all scores of the major league baseball on such tiny screen. Point is, not one lawmaker is proposing a ban on manual operations of a satellite radio.
While there is much wisdom in the proposed law, many perceive that common sense is what needs to be applied regarding their GPS system of choice.
More informative details could be read at Fox News You could also click Daily Records for more information.