Turn Left in 300 feet...

Global Positioning Systems, or GPS devices, are a must have for those on the go. Finding that elusive restaurant, navigating through a foreign city, or the long road trip all are much easier, not to mention less stressful, with the aid of GPS device.


http://www.itechnews.net/tag/gps-devices/

Unnecessary? Yes! Traveling has become much more popular with a larger population but getting lost still plagues many...in steps the GPS. Where were we before the GPS though? We had those paper things all folded and rolled...oh yah, MAPS! Half the fun of a road trip used to come from navigating the trip, deciding what turns to take, hidden shortcuts and just being one with the road. GPS devices have taken this aspect out of traveling. Instead of the perplexing reading of a map whilst driving, our favorite road tunes are interrupted by the tinny voice emitted from the GPS mounted front and center. "Turn left in 300 feet and get in the left hand lane..." "In a half a mile take Exit 179 on your right and proceed straight for 13 miles..." These are all the GPS generation know about the joys of traveling.

There are also cases of GPS mishaps in which drivers have both endangered their own lives as well as those of others on the road. Orman Sussman of Santa Fe, New Mexico was driving home from work when he hit traffic and queried for an alternate route only to find himself swerving through mountain roads for a half an hour finally having to slam on his brakes coming to a dead end that opened into a massive gorge. (1.)

There have also been numerous cases of wrong directions, swerving into oncoming traffic and hitting dead ends when drivers use GPS devices.

With prices in GPS systems lowering the device is becoming increasingly popular. Drivers will ultimately have to take the cons with the pros when using their personal Magellan. (Which is also a brand of GPS devices...)

Necessary? Maybe...It can be argued that the GPS device frees up hands while driving and map reading by a driver could potentially cause an accident. There are also those who are map illiterate and wouldn't survive without a GPS. A sport has arisen out of GPS devices known as geocaching that combines technology with hunting down "treasure." Hunters and hikers also benefit from GPS devices when scouting locations and in the event that they become lost.

...I have used a GPS device on multiple occasions.


(1). (http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?articleID=20080329_5_E4_spanc44056)