Rocky Mountain Tracking

By Greg Bartlett

Are you the parents of a thirteen or fourteen year old?  Are you starting to think about how your life is going to change once your teenager starts learning how to drive?  What about after school jobs, activities, and friends?  Sometimes it is difficult to know how to balance between protecting your child and helping them grow into responsible adulthood.

Teen Driver Safety

The best way to keep your child / teenager / young adult safe is to maintain open lines of communication and set reasonable expectations for behavior and activities.  Even homes with wonderful relationships between parents and teenagers are subject to accidents and tragedy, however, and parents should not overlook dangers even to “good” teenagers.  Even responsible teenagers can quickly find themselves in dangerous circumstances.

For example, statistics show that approximately 100 children each year are abducted and murdered.  Another report claims that between February 2005 to July 2006, 403 kidnappings were attempted by “strangers” or “slight acquaintances” (these numbers reflect only ATTEMPTED kidnappings), and over 3,600 are kidnapped each year by a non-family member.  You may be thinking, “I don’t let my teenager roam the town by himself-this would never happen to us.”

What about after-school jobs?  Does your teenager have an early morning paper route?  Anything could happen.  Does your teenager close up the restaurant after closing each night?  This can be a particularly dangerous situation if there is money on the premises or if the parking lot is not lighted adequately.  Obviously, the answer is not seclusion and isolation.

One thing that may help to keep your teenager safe and to ensure your peace of mind is a GPS tracking system.  A GPS tracking device can keep an active or passive record of the location of the person wearing the receiver.  Satellites in outer space determine the latitude and longitude of the receiver and download the information to the internet or to a mobile device.  Active systems have 24 hour information that you can download at any time.

When your teenager is on his or her paper route and you want to check, you can simply download the information and make sure they are on their route.  If they are closing the store at midnight, you can log in and keep track of where they are until they drive up in your driveway.

If you are the parent of a teenager and are concerned about their safety, then investing in a GPS tracking device may be just the thing to help you find the right balance between “worried parent” and “successful parent.”

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

It is unfortunate when parents find it out of their reach to instruct their own children on how to be responsible when they are behind the wheel of a vehicle.  But, equally as sad is when a ‘good’ teen driver has an accident that claims their life or the life of another person.

Teen Drivers

Sometimes it seems as though nothing that you say or do sinks in with your kids.  Should you be held accountable for that?  That is another discussion for another day.  Concentrating on steps you can take to help keep them safe is more productive.  Here are some tips that you can use:

Set boundaries. Discipline is a lost necessity in many families but that does not mean that it should be discarded completely.  Make sure that you establish boundaries that are not negotiable.  Sitting down and talking about what is right and wrong is a requirement for setting boundaries.

Encourage safe driving habits. How long has it been since you rode with your teen driver?  You should do it on a regular basis and let them know why you are there:  to help them with their driving.  Bad habits need to be broken, and good ones need to be cultivated.

Some bad habits:  not using turn signals, making lane changes without looking beforehand, not looking both ways and/or stopping at stop signs.

Some good habits: Checking mirrors often, watch speeds and speed limits, slow down way in advance of a stop sign or light, put on seat belt before starting the car.

Watch Your Drivers. When they know that they are being watched, they are more likely to make responsible decisions.  This applies to driving on the roadways as well.  You can show them that speeding not only places them in jeopardy of getting a moving violation ticket, but also does little to decrease the time it takes to reach their destination.

This is like any other task in that it takes time and effort to make it happen.  It is also important to set a good example.  If you have bad driving habits of your own then get rid of them.  Talk about them with your teen driver to help make an impact on them as to why you need to change.  You might be surprised at the outcome.

Finally, don’t be afraid to talk about the consequences of irresponsible driving.  Incidents are happening in your area all the time.  A little fear can be healthy as long as it is based on reality.  That type of fear can help alter actions.  In this case, not wanting to get into an accident can help them focus on being a good driver.

If you fear that the above is not enough, maybe it is time to add a GPS Tracking device to the vehicle that your teen drives.  Whether you tell them or not is up to you, but it might be the catalyst necessary to help you make a statement about how good driving is important.

By Harriette Halepis

If you’re like most pet owners, you’d probably do almost anything to make sure that your pup is safe. But what happens when you are not around? Do the people you hire to take care of your pet really do what you ask them to? While most of us would love to assume that the people we trust with our pets are, well, trustworthy, this may not always be the case.

GPS Tracking & Pets

Thousands of people around the world hire dog walkers and dog nannies on a regular basis. While you can check references, up until this point it was impossible to ensure that your dog is safe when you leave it with another person. What’s changed? GPS tracking dog collars are now available, and they’re selling quickly for a good reason: security.

Dog owners across the world are finding out that some dog walkers and sitters can’t be trusted. With the help of a GPS tracking collar, you can determine whether or not your dog actually goes for a walk, or simply sits inside someone’s apartment for an hour. You can also figure out whether or not your dog sitter leaves your pooch sitting in a corner all day long.

Thanks to the innovative technology that is GPS tracking, you never have to leave your pup’s side. By simply placing a GPS collar around your dog’s neck, you will be able to track your pet’s every movement. In most instances, dog walkers and sitters are true professionals, but it never hurts to be certain that your dog is safe at all times. The best part about a GPS collar is that you don’t even have to tell a walker or sitter that your dog is wearing one.

While it may be illegal to track another person without written consent, it’s not illegal to attach a GPS tracker to your dog’s collar. If the collar is removed at any point throughout the day, then you can question a sitter or walker about the lack of inactivity. You can also instruct these people not to remove your dog’s collar under any circumstance. Since dogs aren’t likely to lose collars randomly, it would be fairly difficult for someone to explain to you the reasons why your dog lost its collar.

Some people may view the use of GPS dog collars in this manner as sneaky, but ensuring that your family pet is safe is far more important. Instead of purchasing a dog collar and a separate GPS tracking collar, simply keep the GPS collar on your dog at all times. This way, you can also find out if your dog escapes the backyard while you are away.

Many people use GPS dog collars to keep an eye on a dog’s whereabouts throughout the day, though your dog should also be tracked when you leave it with other people. Not only will you be able to ensure your dog’s safety with the help of a GPS tracker, but you’ll also gain peace of mind knowing that your dog is completely safe. GPS tracking collars are now available at a number of retailers, and most of these collars are compact and slim, so you don’t have to worry about any doggy discomfort.

By Greg Bartlett

Is there a driver in your life that causes you to worry?  Maybe it’s a new teenage driver, a suspicious spouse, or an employee that frequently travels.  No matter what the case may be, a tracking key can put all your worries to rest by giving you accurate information regarding the whereabouts and traveling habits of the person in question.

The Tracking Key

The tracking key is a small GPS tracking device that can be placed in or on the vehicle belonging to the person in question.  It is magnetic, so it can easily be hidden on the bottom of a car.  The tracking key receives information from satellites and records it for later retrieval by means of the USB port located at one end of the key. The information you receive can be shown graphically as a route over a city map or over a satellite image of the earth; or it can be received textually as a written report for you to read.  The tracking key is foolproof; it is a discreet and easy way to track the people you love or employ.  It keeps them accountable, and it keeps you in charge and in the know.

The tracking key can also be used in criminal investigations such as the one involving George Ford.  Here a man was accused of killing a young girl with his car.  His story is that around midnight one night in April 2007, he drove a young girl home after babysitting.  On the way, he stopped to show her some horses, at which time she got out to look at them.  He claimed that he accidentally ran her over as he was performing a reckless U turn.  He also claimed that, out of shock, he waited three hours before taking her to the hospital around 3 a.m.  However, he was unaware that there was a tracking key already on his car that told a different story.  The tracking key showed that his first stop was actually an abandoned house at which the car stayed for three hours.  It also showed that there was a collision around 3 a.m.  Investigators believe that the young girl ran away from Ford at the house, and he chased her and intentionally ran her down.  In the end, it was the tracking key that convicted him of murder and brought justice to the girl’s family.  Tracking keys truly are extremely useful.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

GPS Tracking is used as a proactive tool to help others keep watch over their vehicles and other valuable assets that are out-of-doors and constantly on the move.  It makes sense.

Personal Safety & GPS Tracking

But, consider this also:  GPS Tracking devices can be used as a way to keep track on your own movements.  It’s a kind of reverse tracking method that is very effective.

If you have ever been the object of a stalker or relationship that has broken down and now contains the elements of relationship abuse, then you might consider one of these devices.  It seems that everyone knows of situations in a relationship that could have benefitted from a GPS Tracking device.  Certainly we hear of them all of the time in the news.

By installing and using one in your vehicle, you can track your own movements and report on them as needed.  This is also good for supplying evidentiary support in court room settings.

In addition, if an unfortunate situation occurs where you are forced to drive your vehicle to a remote area, it can be tracked and found instantly with the proper model installed.  Also, with geo-fencing, you can set boundaries which can send out alerts if they have been broken.

Another area in which GPS Tracking devices can be used is in placing them on vehicles of suspects of violent crimes or stalking.  Their movements can be monitored constantly with data provided that can give a history of the location, direction and speed of the vehicle.

Finally, GPS Tracking devices are invaluable in tracking the vehicles of those who are suspected in marital infidelity cases.  Being able to place a car at a specific location and time helps validate the actions of the suspects.

These applications for GPS Tracking devices are the unseemly side of tracking, yet they are valuable in helping maintain law and order.  Peace of mind is also afforded because it is better knowing than not knowing in these cases.  Formulating actions based on facts rather than hunches is a better way to live.

While cost is often not as great of an issue when used in this case, it is nice to know that for just a few hundred dollars, these GPS Tracking devices can be employed with great results for the user.  In fact, the cost is far outweighed by the benefits.

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe with the use of a GPS Tracking device.  It has the potential to not only keep you safe, but maybe save a life, too.  You never know.

By Greg Bartlett

Truancy is a serious problem in many school districts. Traditionally it has been a difficult problem to deal with since neither the parents nor the teachers monitor students at all times. In some states, however, that situation may be about to change. A recent pilot program in Texas experimented with equipping students who have truancy records with a GPS tracking device to help keep them in school. So far, the program has been a success.

GPS & Truancy

The GPS tracking device carried by students in the pilot program allows them to be monitored at all times during the school day. The transmitter sends signals at intervals to a computer and the information can be viewed in real time or as a report at the end of the day. So far, the schools using the devices have been pleased with their performance and plan to expand the pilot programs to be implemented as part of the regular truancy procedures.

As other states begin to follow Texas in making GPS tracking part of their standard operating procedure for truant students, school leadership will appreciate the diverse options available when purchasing a GPS tracking device. Models and capabilities vary widely, and as the technology develops, GPS units will become smaller and smarter. Current models allow operators to set up zone perimeters, which, when crossed, will send an alert to the receiving software or to a cell phone. If a student tries to leave the property during the school day, school officials will know immediately.

Knowledge that their whereabouts can be determined at any point seems to give students with a tendency toward truancy a reason to stay in school. A truancy judge determines which students need to wear the devices and for how long. Parents of students in the pilot programs have backed the program as well, recognizing the need for their kids to stay in school in order to get the best start in life. With nearly one-third of high school students nationwide dropping out of school before graduation, the use of a GPS tracking device for truants could represent a significant shift in the ability of school officials to encourage attendance.

The data for high school dropouts is sobering: high school graduates earn approximately $10,000 less than their counterparts each year once they enter the workforce, adding up to nearly $319 billion in wages lost over the course of their careers. If equipping students with a GPS tracking device can alter those numbers even a small amount, the investment will be well worth it.

By Greg Bartlett

Each year the United Kingdom has a celebrity bike ride to raise money for Sport Relief, which will build schools, shelters, and healthcare facilities for poor communities around the world. Donators of the Sport Relief Celebrity Million Pound Bike Ride can watch the long race from John o’Groats, Scotland, to Land’s End, England. How can they follow along as the various celebrities take their turn riding?

GPS Tracking & Cycling

By GPS tracking system, of course. The Sport Relief bike race will use real time tracking systems so that the movements of the riders can be followed on an internet map. The devices transmit signals regularly, which allows for an accurate route to be seen. A GPS tracking system not only records the location, but also the speed of the object or person it is tracking. Passive GPS tracking devices record this information as well, but they do not send out signals to a satellite. Instead, the tracker must be retrieved and then the information can be downloaded onto a computer for viewing. Although passive trackers can be very useful in a variety of circumstances, real time trackers are most helpful for races and other competitions, so that fans can watch the contest live on the internet. These tracking devices have been used in many different races like the Pure Michigan Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race.

By using real time GPS tracking systems, this bike race can be followed and enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Fans could feel like they were a part of the action throughout the race. The fact that the race could be tracked and viewed online grabs people’s attention which will help Sport Relief to raise their goal of one million pounds (around $1.5 million U.S. dollars) for their charity.

Real time GPS tracking systems are not only helpful for tracking races, but they can be used in a variety of other ways. These devices have become very popular for fleet management. Whether it’s taxi cabs or delivery trucks, a GPS tracking system will help keep tabs on all of the vehicles and make sure that they are used to their full potential. These tracking systems can also be used to protect vehicles from theft. Stolen vehicles can be easily recovered if they are protected with a vehicle tracking device. All the owner has to do is contact the police and give them the exact location of their vehicle. This helps the law enforcement officers out a great deal and ensures the speedy return of the stolen vehicle.

By DONNA SANTI / guest columnist

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-          Donna Santi is a creative writer for LandAirSea Systems, a Woodstock, IL-based manufacturer and distributor of expertly-engineered GPS tracking systems, software and accessories. For information about LandAirSea, visit www.landairsea.com. To contact the writer, email donna.santi@landairsea.com

Vehicle Tracking is finding great success in the business world. It might have even turned a corner, from being a benefit, to a necessity.

Globally, there is about $2.5 billion spent on GPS receivers and software, and by 2013, that spending will jump to about $13 billion annually, according to ABI Research in London, a marketing and consulting firm.

Now a new poll seems to back that bold prediction. A 2010 survey of transportation, service, utility and construction companies revealed that more than half of those businesses are now using GPS tracking systems; with the largest reported benefit being more efficient operations.

GPS Tracking and Business

The news should bring smiles to the faces of the many manufacturers and dealers of vehicle tracking technology. Also widely encouraging is the poll’s look at the future market: Among those companies who do not yet utilize GPS tracking systems, almost 90 percent of them said they were aware of the technology’s benefits and were considering investing in it.

One out of every two businesses is using GPS tracking in its fleet management department, and the majority of the others want it. What could be better news?

The survey was conducted by a vehicle tracking and fleet management organization in the United Kingdom. One hundred and fifty companies were surveyed with fleet management supervisors or top administrators being the respondents. The sizes of the companies’ fleets ranged from 10 vehicles, to more than 1,000; the average being less than 100 vehicles.

Fuel prices are creeping up once again, everyone’s looking for a greener way of living, and the economy is forcing many business people to make the most of the resources they have, or buckle under. GPS tracking system solutions help in all three areas.

Following is a breakdown of some of the survey responses.

What Current GPS Tracking Users Had To Say:

• 9 in 10 said they were satisfied with their choice of GPS tracking system.
• 8 of 10 said vehicle tracking helped them reduce operational costs.
• 6 of 10 said the tracking system increased productivity.
• 5 in 10 said employee performance improved.
• 5 in 10 said their tracking system resulted in better security.

What Those NOT Using Vehicle Tracking Are Saying:

• 6 of 10 thought GPS tracking would offer a good return on investment (ROI), meaning it is money well-spent.
• Four in 10 said vehicle tracking did not fit the needs of their particular business.
• Four in 10 perceived GPS tracking systems to be too cost-prohibitive to their budgets.

The surveyor conducts its poll every other year. The 2008 poll revealed that one in four businesses was using vehicle tracking technology. Theoretically, the number of GPS tracking users doubled in just two years.

Source: FleetDirectory.co.uk , CNNMoney.com

By Greg Bartlett

Have you ever needed to stop by at a store for just a minute?  You know the item you need is on the shelf right by the door, and it’ll take you thirty seconds to run in there and check out.  Surely it’s not worth it to park what feels like a quarter mile away.  Or maybe all you need to do is pick up your kid, and you just need to go in the doors and catch his attention.  Circling the parking lot looking for a spot just isn’t appealing - it’ll only take a second to go inside, so it won’t hurt to leave the car running while you dash in?  Surely nothing will happen.

GPS Tracking & Auto Theft

Maybe, but maybe not.  It’s possible that some enterprising individual will seize the day - and your car, along with any valuables inside.  One man in Kansas recently had exactly that happen, but he was able to recover his vehicle through the use of GPS tracking.  If your car is stolen, whether from the curb or from a parking space, a GPS unit can help police track your vehicle, capture the thief, and recover your car.

Leaving your car running at the curb may not be the best way to avoid car theft, but a car can be stolen from a parking spot, too.  It could even be stolen from your driveway.  No matter where your car starts, the important thing for you is finding out where it goes.  A GPS tracking device will be able to tell you were your vehicle is in real time, including its speed and any stops it makes.

Once a car is stolen, recovery rates are not high.  The FBI Uniform Crime Report claims that only about 57% of stolen cars are recovered.  With GPS tracking, however, recovery rates can jump to 90%.  Since the tracking units are often small and can be easily hidden, thieves do not have the time to locate the device and get rid of it so that they can hide the car completely - at least, they don’t have time since the police and the owner will be tracking the car’s current location and the thieves won’t be able to just park somewhere and hunt for the device.

Wherever you leave your car, it’s important that it’ll be there when you get back.  Locks and alarm systems will help, but they can’t always protect your vehicle.  GPS tracking is a valuable aid to help you find and recover your car should it be stolen.

By Greg Bartlett

Insecurity is the silent killer of all relationships.  It sneaks in and causes you to question your partner’s faithfulness.  It steals your trust in that person and leaves you with nothing but doubts.  There is a way to get rid of insecurity in a relationship.  GPS tracking is a discreet way to track the whereabouts of your significant other without their suspecting a thing.  You can find out where they go on a regular basis-along with other various details about their travel.  Partner or spouse tracking can give you the confidence of knowing exactly where your loved one is at all times; it brings back the trust and gives you peace of mind.

GPS Tracking & Spouses

You probably know that GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and it is a means of tracking something or someone.  It uses information received from satellites to record or send information.  Typically a GPS tracking unit is one of two types:  a data logger or a data pusher.  A data logger is a portable and discreet unit that is typically used in spouse tracking to locate a vehicle.  It is hidden on the vehicle, and it records all of the vehicle’s activity.  This activity would include route of travel, speed of travel, and any stops made.  Another type of GPS tracking unit is the data pusher.  A GPS unit is placed on the vehicle, and, instead of recording the data, it would periodically send, or “push” the data to a computer where it can be analyzed.  These are often used in spouse tracking as a means of surveillance.

One man who knows all too well the need for spouse tracking is Daniel Gomez, the lead detective of Gomez Detective Agency and former Dallas police officer.  His ample load of casework can be seen on TV on the show “Cheaters.”  He is to infidelity what a detective is to homicide.  One of the most common surveillance tools he uses is GPS tracking. Daniel Gomez frequently installs GPS tracking devices on the vehicles of his client’s choosing to help him gain important information about the chosen person’s travel habits and current whereabouts.  This information will either prove the existence of an affair or give the peace of mind that the suspected spouse was innocent.  Either way, if you or someone you know has nagging doubts about a spouse’s faithfulness, spouse tracking with GPS is just what you need.