Global Positioning System
Otherwise known as a GPS
The solution for lost and confused drivers everywhere, or is it?
Sometimes following the directions of your cars GPS will get you into trouble in a big way.
New York Confusion:
New York City driving is not easy even for the most seasoned drivers. Just last May, a driver was trying to rely on his GPS to get him from the Upper West Side to New Jersey. When the system told him to go west around 88th St, he turned into the Riverside Park Entrance, not the street that he was expecting.
Japanese Tourists in Australia:
North Stradbroke Island is one of the delights of the natural world. The tourists that were depending on their rental cars GPS to get there from the mainland ended up driving into the water instead of boarding the ferry. The system gave them the actual correct directions but did not mention that a ferry was needed to get their car all the way to the island.
The difference between a road and a path in England:
It was a few years ago when a driver in West Yorkshire was driving on what the GPS stated was a road. He was suspicious that something was wrong though because the road did become more and more narrow as well as become much steeper. Luckily he stopped when he bumped into an inconsequential wire fence. It stopped him from driving right off of a 100 ft. drop.
Some alternatives to the GPS dependence:
There are road maps around still. The problem that comes up with those is how quickly they can become outdated. Asking for directions at the nearest gas station can help at times but in some situation is impossible. If you haven’t taken the time to get direction from the internet before you leave, then checking on your smart phone can help. An app on your smart phone can give you the position that your are in while traveling. It can also show you the various options available. The best idea is to pay attention where you are going and avoid driving in foggy or inclement weather conditions.
