Very few people still use paper maps. Most just use a GPS on their phone or one that’s built into the car. It certainly is much more convenient, especially because it can adjust if you miss a turn.
In terms of safety, though, there are both pros and cons. You could argue that a GPS makes someone a safer driver, and you can also argue that it makes them a more dangerous driver. Let’s break down this complicated dilemma.
How it makes them safer
A GPS can make you safer because you know where you’re going and you know what lane to use. You don’t have to do anything at the last second, and you don’t have to worry about getting lost. Tellingly, studies have found that the GPS really helps with night driving safety. People who used to have to drive slowly and look for house numbers or street signs now just get an alert when they need to turn or when they reach their destination.
How it makes them more dangerous
The danger of the GPS, of course, is that it’s a serious distraction. If you’re looking down at your phone to see where to turn, you’re not looking at the road ahead of you. If the GPS tells you to do something and you react to it blindly, such as changing lanes without checking to see if anyone else is there, it can cause an accident. There are also many crashes caused by people trying to change their destination or enter it into the GPS while they drive.
Have you been injured?
With all of its advantages, GPS isn’t going anywhere, and that means that distracted drivers are going to keep causing accidents. If you’ve been injured, you need to know what options you have.
