Your vote counts Certainly everyone has an opinion about the upcoming Presidential election. Whether you're Democrat, Republican, Independent or still yet undecided, voting is your right and privilege. By taking time to vote for the candidate of your choice, you are letting your voice be heard in our nation's capital. If you haven't registered to vote, it's not too late. You can register to vote between 10 and 30 days before the election, which will be held Tuesday, November 2. It varies from state to state, so check with your local election officials.
In addition to registering at your local office, many states offer registration opportunities at libraries, post offices, drivers' licensing offices and unemployment offices. And even if you're on the road on Election Day, you can vote by absentee ballot. Again, check with your local election officials. In the Presidential election of 2000, only 51.3% of the people eligible to vote did so. That number is nothing short of pitiful. Make a difference this election and make your voice heard—vote.
Comparison shopping Whether you're talking diesel or gasoline, fuel is expensive. It's putting the pinch on everybody's wallet. To somehow lessen that feeling, and help justify your purchases, I did a price comparison between gas and some of the more common items we consume each day. Let's begin with a can of Coke. A 12-pack runs about $3.68 (depending where you live), or approximately $3.34 a gallon making gasoline look darn cheap. What about milk? How much do you pay for a gallon of milk? In some parts of the country, it's as much as $4.00 a gallon. All I know is that my kids won't rethink how much milk they drink just because it went up in price. Then there's bottled water. You can pick up a 20 ounce bottle for about $1.19. That's approximately $7.60 a gallon. For plain old water! Although fuel prices are high, and will probably remain so for at least the short term, in comparison to other things we use, it could be considered a steal. Fill ‘er up!
Shows and more shows The Great American Trucking Show (GATS), the second largest trucking show in the industry, is September 10-12 at the Dallas Convention Center. It's your chance to see the newest and most innovative products and technology in the trucking industry. This year's show will include performances by Diamond Rio, and Ronnie Millsap. In addition, WBAP and the Midnight Trucking Radio Show will be at GATS. There will also be truck beauty contests, seminars and giveaways. Admission is free and, according to the show, there's free, secure truck parking on site. Find out more about the show on line at http://www.gatsonline.com.
If the Great American Trucking Show isn't enough this month, visit the 43rd annual International Trucking Show at the Anaheim Convention Center September 23-25. This year's theme is “Lets Get Down to Business” and will include seminars and workshops to help participants gain new knowledge and expertise in trucking. More than 400 exhibitors are expected including Freightliner, Kenworth, Ford, Mack, Volvo, International, Peterbilt and Western Star. You can get more information on the International Trucking Show at http://www.intltruckshow.com.
Hook, line and sinker Imagine your credit card company sends you an e-mail that says there's been some suspicious activity with your account. They need you to validate your account information to stop any further credit card fraud. If you don't, your account will be closed to prevent further problems. All you need to do is go to the credit card company's website and update the information. Sounds legitimate, doesn't it? But it's not. It's called phishing, a high tech scam using e-mail and pop up messages that claim to be from legitimate organizations. For example, the e-mail might be a message from your internet service provider (ISP), your bank or even the government. The message directs you to a website that looks like the ISP or the bank's real webpage. In fact, the webpage is a mirror image of the legit site. If you don't notice it's bogus, the “phishers” will take the information you provide and use it for criminal purposes.
What can you do to keep from getting hooked by a phishing scam? The Department of Justice says there are three simple rules: stop, look and call.
1. Stop. Phishers typically include exciting (but false) statements in their e-mails with one purpose in mind—they want people to react immediately to that information by clicking on the link and inputting the requested data before they take time to think through what they're doing. No matter how upsetting or exciting the statements in the e-mail may be, there is always enough time to check out the information more closely before you take any action.
2. Look. Always look closely at the claims made in the e-mail, think about whether those claims make sense, and be highly suspicious if the e-mail asks for numerous items of personal information such as account numbers, user names, or passwords. Look closely at the webpage address, too. It may look suspicious.
3. Call. If the e-mail or website says it's from a legitimate company or financial institution, call or e-mail that company directly and ask whether the e-mail or website is really from that company. To be sure you're contacting the real company or institution where you have an account, call the number printed on your credit card or billing statement.
Eyes wide open With the election just around the corner, government officials are asking each of us to be more alert for suspicious activity on the job, on the street and on the road. As a truck driver, you can do your part by keeping an eye on our highways, and by keeping your own load safe, especially if you haul hazmat or other potentially dangerous cargo. The American Trucking Associations has a few tips on what drivers can do while they're doing their job. Here are just a few you should keep in mind.
• Have proper photo identification and shipping documents. Be prepared to be stopped often by law enforcement officials.
• Maintain regular communications with your dispatcher.
• Vary your route when possible
• Park in areas where other truckers are present.
• Do not stop on dark roadways or in deserted areas while waiting to make deliveries.
• Use reputable truck stops along your route.
• Be aware of vehicles that are following your truck and of strangers asking you questions.
• Be suspicious of individuals asking you to stop because of an alleged traffic accident. If unsure whether an accident has occurred, drive to a police station or to a well-lit busy location before stopping.
• Always lock your tractor doors and make sure all trailer and container doors are secured with a heavy-duty padlock.
• Don't talk about your load on the CB.
With the threat of terrorist attacks on everyone's mind these days, do whatever you can do to help the Department of Homeland Security keep us all safe.