Progressive Insurance encourages good driving and offers discounts to customers that use GPS tracking devices on their vehicles.

Tracking programs by major insurance companies in the United States has been a long time coming, but many drivers were resistant to the idea of their driving and vehicles being tracked. Until now. Progressive Corp. has begun shipping devices enabled with GPS tracking technology to customers that volunteer to be tracked in exchange for discounts on their vehicle insurance. It is their way of rewarding and encouraging safe driving. They are also helpful because they are an anti-theft device, which insurance companies love.

These insurance programs are being called usage-based programs, or telematics, and more policyholders are coming around to the idea of being tracked. The GPS trackers will be placed in their vehicle and keep track of where they are located. Read the rest of this entry »

The PGA Golf Tournament held by Travel Championship was fully prepared for health emergencies thanks to a new GPS tracking system.

Between June 16^th and June 22^nd, players and attendees of the PGA Golf Tournament in Cromwell, Connecticut had medical help at their fingertips. The annual tournament that is organized by Travelers Championship used technology to help provide on-the-site healthcare by giving all of their workers GPS trackers and combining it with an advanced dispatching service.

Being on a golf course for just one day has its own set of risks, but is especially risky during tournaments that go over several days. The golfers and fans are out in the heat for hours at a time, with very little breaks from it. They risk heat exhaustion, diabetic problems, lacerations, cuts or scrapes, ball strikes, slips and falls, and respiratory problems. These and other medical situations require fast care and are sometimes life or death situations.

The problem is that usually they are out on a course that is hard for medical staff to get to. Now with GPS tracking, the person in need of medical care lets the nearest employee know and they are able to quickly contact the dispatch team. Read the rest of this entry »

CBS 5 – KPHO

A man whose home was burglarized helps lead to arrest thanks to personal GPS tracking of his valuables.

It is not uncommon to hear news stories that involve using global positioning systems (GPS) tracking devices for catching criminals, whether it is a pharmacy nabbing a pill snatcher, local sheriff catching a stolen trailer thief, or a clever realtor tracking down stolen house for sale signs. Now, a resident of Arizona proves GPS tracking devices can be used on smaller items to help lead to an arrest should it get stolen.

Allen Crosby of Phoenix, Arizona was recently burglarized. The would-be thief made off with more than $10,000 worth of valuables, including electronics and jewelry, from his home.

Luckily for him, he thought ahead by protecting his valuables with a micro personal GPS tracking unit. These are tiny, hardly noticeable to those not looking for it, and can track the location of the item it was placed on. Read the rest of this entry »

Summer is the perfect time for enjoying the great outdoors and warm weather by going on a long hike or biking trip. However, it can also be dangerous if you are not prepared. One of the best tools to bring with you on your trip is a GPS tracking device, as it helps you find out where you are and where you are going, has a 911 emergency call button, and provides a wide range of features for safety.

Benefits of Using GPS Trackers

While mapping and navigation is definitely a big bonus to having a GPS tracking device with you during outdoor excursions, it isn’t the only way you benefit from this technology. GPS tracking devices are very durable, which means they can withstand your hiking, biking, or camping trip. They are also often waterproof, so are great for any type of weather conditions.

A good quality GPS system has a battery life of at least15 hours or more, but always bring extra batteries. The coverage of the newest tracking devices are excellent, no longer limited to only a cell phone’s coverage. They also have extra features like a barometer, altimeter, and features for geocaching.

Of course there is also the advanced mapping features that help you figure out your location in case you get lost or need to get emergency help. Take for example this lost Mt. Hood hiker that was lost, but then found after posting his GPS coordinates on Facebook. Read the rest of this entry »

Parents of autistic children may have better peace of mind soon with GPS monitoring of their child’s whereabouts. As we previously reported, approximately half of children with autism wander off.

In Utah, a project is underway to potentially provide GPS tracking devices to the parents of vulnerable autistic children. Government funding will need to be needed and it is only intended for parents that choose to use the system. Parents in need will work with local law enforcement agencies to apply for the funding from the The Byrne Grant Program.

Children and adults with autism have a tendency to wander off. People with autism, as well as those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, are prone to wandering and can often go much further than they originally intended. It causes panic and anxiety once they realize they don’t know where they are, and that turns into an even more dangerous situation.

In a lot of these cases, the child is found unharmed, but in others, it has been fatal. With the case of a boy named Steven, it took authorities 16 hours to find him after he had wandered off. They believe if Steven’s parents had been monitoring him with a personal GPS tracking device, he would have been found much sooner. Read the rest of this entry »