Trucking Technology Alert - Sept. 11
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The Trucking Technology Report and Alert are compiled by Information Inc., a supplier of news summaries for vertical markets. Information Inc., subscribes to nearly 7,000 news sources, including: major newspapers and magazines; regional, national, international, and business wire services; weekly and monthly trade journals; business periodicals; legislative sources and non-industry sources.
Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
- Cellphone Liability Issues Mount
- Wireless Popularity Grows as Devices Shrink
- Cell Phones Overwhelm 911 System
- Inttra Adds More Logistics Providers
Cellphone Liability Issues Mount
Employer liability for cell-phone automobile accidents is becoming a major issue.
According to Tom Harrison, publisher of Lawyers Weekly USA, employers may have to pay through their insurance or even out-of-pocket if they should lose a case. In 1999, for example, Salomon Smith Barney was forced to settle a lawsuit for half-a-million dollars after one of its brokers dropped a cell phone while driving and killed a motorcyclist while trying to retrieve it. Insurance and legal experts say companies with mobile workers should do all they can to protect themselves.
David Snyder, a lawyer with the Washington D.C.-based American Insurance Association says companies need clear policies on the issue. In particular, Snyder says, companies have to insist that employees do not drive while phoning. Stanley J. Wezelman, a San Diego lawyer who teaches at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, says that companies should also not assume they are covered for an employee's cell-phone car accident under their normal policies. Investor's Business Daily (09/11/01) P. A6; Benesh, Peter
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Wireless Popularity Grows as Devices Shrink
Wireless devices are not only becoming more powerful, they are also becoming smaller, which means that it is becoming easier and easier to lose valuable information.
According to Chris Isaac, a partner with consulting firm Andersen, people are losing 10 percent to 15% of the pagers, cell phones, and handheld computers they buy. Isaac adds that this represents a tremendous liability, because these devices could store between $10,000 and $20,000 worth of a company's information. Up until now, lost handheld devices have not been a major financial problem for companies, because the majority of people only use the devices to store calendars and personal telephone directories.
This will change, however, as these devices are integrated into company networks and will be capable of accessing internal systems and databases. Knox Bricken, an analyst at Yankee Group, says there is little hope people will stop losing their wireless devices anytime soon, so businesses will have to start protecting their information with access codes and passwords. USA Today (09/11/01) P. 11E; Kessler, Michelle
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Cell Phones Overwhelm 911 System
Findings from a new report by the National Emergency Number Association claims that problems generated by a surge in 911 calls made from cellular phones may jeopardize the efficiency of the emergency call system.
According to statistics published in the NENA's report, wireless calls accounted for 25% of the 190 million 911 calls logged in 1999. Cells phones can be problematic for 911 operators because there is no way of tracking where the call was placed. NENA's report indicated that the 911 system itself was fine, but that billions of dollars may have to be spent on upgrades to handle the growing volume of calls.
Adding to the problems at 911 call centers is a severe staffing shortage, which Mark Adams, executive director of NENA, says are now commonplace across the country. Washington Post (09/11/01) P. A28; Roig-Franzia, Manuel
Inttra Adds More Logistics Providers
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