For the curious, a GPS device uses the Global Positioning System to track the whereabouts of any object to which it is attached. The technology is not that new; a variation of the system has been used since the early 1980s, however state of the art GPS devices and the internet allow for real time and tracking and the compilation of a host of valuable data. On a personal level, GPS devices on cars are a wise tool to have, and insurance companies in some states are required to offer discounts on cars and trucks with tracking systems, as they are powerful anti-theft protection. Also, cautious parents of teen drivers like to know their children's whereabouts. The devices not only monitor location, but they can be set to alert parents if the vehicle exceeds a set speed limit or goes outside of a preset boundary! For many of the same reasons, a GPS device is a handy thing to have on a fleet vehicle. It saves gasoline and overtime hours, increases safety, and stops unauthorized use of fleet vehicles for personal use on nights and weekends. In addition, the data recorded is very useful in handling billing conflicts! The police have found GPS tracking valuable, too. Courts have ruled in favor of police in cases where the legality of secret tracking is employed. Defendants argue that the devices violate 4th amendments rights prohibiting unlawful search and seizure. Judges have ruled that the devices in no way "seize" the vehicles on which they are used. Police do not need a search warrant to follow the activities of someone suspected of unlawful behavior. According to the courts, the use of a GPS on the "public" parts of a suspect's vehicle is the equivalent of tracking a suspect the old-fashioned way. GPS tracking is a cool tool with dozens of applications. Whether you are a business owner trying to cut down on overtime and vehicle abuse, a parent worried about a teenage driver, or a policeman wanting to catch a criminal, GPS can help.
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