It seems like yesterday that GPS equipment was expensive and hard to use. Now global positioning systems come on almost every smart phone out there and is almost to the point of being scary. Many young drivers have come to rely upon GPS as their primary method of navigating as opposed to the old school methods of studying maps and learning directions. Younger drivers do not want the directions. They want the address so they can use their smart phones to guide them to the location.
Whether you use your iPhone or your navigation system in your vehicle, here are some safety tips that will help you arrive safely.
Program Your Destination Before You Leave
The first safety tip is to program your GPS device with the address before you leave. Some collisions are caused by distracted drivers who are attempting to punch in the address or dictate the address to their GPS device while driving. Spending time to make sure that you have added the address correctly and being aware of the general route is the first step.
Use Voice
Whether you are using an app on your iPhone, android device or other GPS, if the application has voice directions it is a good idea to utilize that. The best GPS systems provide very good feedback to the driver giving the driver plenty of time to prepare for changes in lanes and streets. Additionally, using the voice direction feature serves to prevent unnecessarily distraction by taking your eyes off of the road and looking at your GPS device.
Use Your Passenger
Another safety tip is to put your passenger in charge of the directions. If you do not have voice directions, have your passenger look at your GPS device and give you instructions -so you can keep your eyes on the road.
Understand GPS is Only a Tool
Paying attention to the direction traveled and having looked at the destination and route before starting your trip can help you stay on course. Always obey traffic signs and anticipate there may be changes not reflected on your GPS information. Depending on the device, the maps may not be updated for a new road or highway.
Know How to Use Your GPS Before You Start
Know how to operate your GPS device and take advantage of it safety features such as voice control. If you do not know how to use your application in your vehicle, read your manual that came with your vehicle. If you do not have a manual, try going to YouTube and find a video that will walk you through the steps to understand how to use your specific GPS.
Eyes On The Road
The basic rule of safety and using the GPS device is to always keep your eyes on the road. If you must reset or change your destination in your device, pull off of the road safely and re-program your GPS before you start your trip again.
Using the GPS device can be a great way to get you to your destination. Understanding how to use a global positioning system requires understanding of how to operate your system and using it safely.
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