The GPS is meant to help prevent drivers from getting lost on the road. Even though newer and more recent cars often come with voice-activated navigation systems, many people still use their phone or handheld GPS devices to get them to their destinations.
However, in spite of its obvious advantages, the GPS can make drivers take their focus off the road. Fortunately, with different states enforcing the distracted driving laws, fewer and fewer people will likely be involved in accidents as a result of distracted driving. Read on to find out how this is possible.
GPS Interface Font
Some navigation systems have fonts that are difficult for people to read at a glance. An MIT study indicated that men had more difficulty reading a Eurostile font on their GPS systems as against a Frutiger font, although the fonts did not make any difference to the women.
The study showed that for men who could not clearly see the font face, trying to understand the navigation system meant that they took their eyes off the road for at least 50 feet. That is enough time to ram into stationary vehicles, road dividers, and other road users.
Failure to Crosscheck the Directions
Your navigation system gets it right most of the time. However, you need to crosscheck the information it is giving you, particularly when you are new to an area.
As more people utilize GPS to get them from point A to B, it makes sense that they should also ensure that they are not being led in the wrong direction. All it takes to get in an accident is to drive into a ditch while following your nav system’s promptings.
So, always make sure to do your own due diligence. If you have travel companions, ask their advice if you get the feeling that you are lost. Otherwise, carry a map that you can look at to confirm your navigation system’s directions.
Not Paying Attention to Your Environs
When you are driving with your windows up and listening to your favorite tape, there’s always the tendency to ignore your surroundings. Don’t do that. Sometimes, a quick look at your surroundings is enough to help you double-check your surroundings.
Many a driver has been so focused on following their GPS navigation system’s directions until it was too late. Avoid this at all costs. If you have a GPS with the voice prompt, leave the voice prompts on – that usually means fewer distractions as you will not have to check the dash several times – and take in your surroundings.
If you find that your GPS says to take a road that is clearly blocked off, ignore it and confirm with others before you drive yourself into an accident following the promptings of a GPS.
Programming While Driving
The best time to program your GPS is right before you leave your place. Trying to program it while driving will make you take your eyes off the road, which could result in an accident. So, always do all your programming before leaving and study your route online or on the maps to give you a general sense of your possible environs.
If you find that your GPS is faulty, go have it checked out or replace it outright. Avoid being a statistic. If you or a loved one has already suffered some injury as a result of a faulty or incorrect navigational system, finding a law firm such as Heil-Law will help you find due compensation for your injury
About the author:
Oscar King is an Orlando resident who has seen far too many tragedies over his life owing to mistakes made by drivers on the road. He urges caution for any driver and that they focus all of their attention on the road ahead. You can learn more about Oscar on Google+.
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