Almost 390,000 injuries occur yearly due to drivers texting while behind the wheel. In fact, according to statistics, one out of four vehicular accidents are caused by this. Several laws have been passed regarding this, officially making it illegal to text and drive. But it is challenging to implement. Here is where Jason Humphreys comes in. What did he do to take matters into his own hands?
A Florida man who commuted to work daily used a cell phone jammer to prevent other drivers from being preoccupied with their phones. The FCC consequently fined him $48,000.
How Did Jason Humphrey’s Get Caught?
Additionally, the FCC revealed yesterday that a forfeiture order had been issued to recover a $48,000 fine imposed on a Seffner, Florida, resident. On April 29, 2014, a Hillsborough County government employee used a cell phone jamming device during his daily commute to and from Tampa.
According to the FCC, Jason R. Humphreys illegally interfered with cell service along Interstate 4 and with police communications for about two years.
The FCC complaint claims Humphreys was penalized the legal maximum of $16,000 per instance for illegal device use, intentional interference, and unauthorized operation.
Metro PCS informed the enforcement bureau on April 29, 2013, that interference had occurred at some of its Tampa cell phone tower sites during rush hour.
Eight days later, agents monitored the alleged route and used direction-finding methods to establish that a blue Toyota Highlander SUV was the source of wideband solid emissions in the cellular and PCS bands.
Working closely with the Tampa Office agents, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stopped the SUV on May 9, 2013. When they did, they reported that their 800 MHz two-way portable radio communications with police dispatch were interrupted as they approached the SUV.
The cell phone jammer was discovered hidden behind the passenger seat’s seat cover during a vehicle inspection. According to Humphreys, he had been using the jammer to prevent people from using their cell phones while driving. (Source: Wireless Estimator)
What are Phone Jammers?
Radiofrequency transmitters, known as jammers, are devices that purposefully obstruct, jam, or interfere with wireless communications, including phone calls, G.P.S. signals, Wi-Fi networks, and communications between first responders.
The Commission proposed a $34,912,500 fine against CTS Technology for its marketing of 285 jammer models in the United States following an investigation by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau.
Additionally, the FCC commanded the business to guarantee that any marketing it did adhere to Federal law. Although the business did not reply to the Notice of Apparently Liability (NAL) or proposed a fine, it has since taken several actions that seem to bring its marketing in line with U.S. law prohibiting the marketing, sale, and import of signal jammers.
The decision from yesterday, known as a Forfeiture Order, upholds the entirety of the proposed fine against the company because the Commission did not receive any evidence from CTS. Technology refutes the conclusions in the proposed fine.
It might be challenging to collect the money, though. The FCC contacted the Chinese government to issue the NAL by international law because CTS never acknowledged receiving the NAL.
However, because China’s designated authority for service matters disregarded the agency’s request, the agency decided it was appropriate to enter the forfeiture document.
There is a 30-day payment deadline for CTS. If it doesn’t get paid, the FCC has yet to say what other steps it would take. (Source: Wireless Estimator)
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