Is GPS Navigation Putting Lives at Risk?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jedishrfu
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Death Gps
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential risks associated with reliance on GPS navigation systems, particularly in terms of safety and decision-making while driving. Participants share personal experiences and observations regarding navigation practices and the implications of GPS errors.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about the dangers of over-reliance on GPS for navigation, citing examples from media and personal experiences.
  • Others share their own navigation strategies, emphasizing the importance of using traditional maps and being aware of surroundings, such as natural landmarks and weather conditions.
  • A participant challenges the notion of "death by GPS," arguing that individuals are ultimately responsible for their driving decisions and that GPS cannot force drivers to follow incorrect directions.
  • There are anecdotes about past incidents where drivers misinterpreted GPS directions, leading to dangerous situations, but some participants argue these are not solely the fault of the GPS technology.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus; while there is agreement on the potential risks of over-dependence on GPS, differing views exist regarding the extent of responsibility attributed to GPS systems versus the drivers themselves.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions reference specific incidents and media portrayals that may not fully capture the complexities of navigation errors and driver behavior. The conversation reflects a variety of personal experiences and opinions without resolving the underlying issues.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals concerned about navigation safety, technology users, and those exploring the implications of reliance on digital navigation tools.

Computer science news on Phys.org
There was an Office episode where Michael drives into a lake because his GPS tells him to.
 
Before I travel somewhere, I check national, regional and/or local maps, and know about landmarks. Enroute and on location, I pay attention to the sun, weather and surroundings, and if the night sky is clear, the moon and stars.
 
Astronuc said:
Before I travel somewhere, I check national, regional and/or local maps, and know about landmarks. Enroute and on location, I pay attention to the sun, weather and surroundings, and if the night sky is clear, the moon and stars.
Always have an emergency pack with plenty of water too!
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
Always have an emergency pack with plenty of water too!
Certainly, if I go into the back country, which I'll be doing this weekend.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1oldman2
Sigh. While over dependence on GPS is a big problem, the term "death by GPS" just isn't accurate in at least the title story. The people who are the title story went against the directions of the GPS, more than once. GPS will not lead you away from danger against your will.

I'm also not very willing to accept driving to a city instead of an island with the same name as the fault of the GPS. And driving into a lake that GPS says is a road? It may be or may have been a road. GPS doesn't know and shouldn't be expected to know if that's a puddle or a road that ends in boat ramp, but the driver of the car really should figure it out! That particular one isn't a new problem: about a year ago, a car was found in a lake after going missing for some 40 years. Apparently, the driver (a kid) took a wrong turn at night, possibly drunk, and the road turned into a boat ramp and everyone in it drowned. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ssing-40-years-found-at-the-bottom-of-a-lake/
 
If I miss a turn in a housing subdivision with twisting winding streets, I don't wait for the GPS to plot a twisting winding course back to where I should be. I make a U turn and go back 1/2 a block.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters

Similar threads

What is the risk of infrequent events and outdated GPS systems?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Love eggs? Maybe you should consider this
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
8K
Medical FDA antidepressant warnings of suicide risk among kids may have the opposite effect
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Graduate How Critical Are Relativistic Effects in GNSS Accuracy?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K
Should physician-assisted death be legalized in all countries?
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
5K
Defective Chinese products strike again
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Virus mutation by artificially guided selection
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Current and Future AI Threats to Humanity and the Human Response
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
The Origin of People -- hominin migration and evolution
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Medical Does Coffee Reduce Mortality Risk?
  • · Replies 52 ·
2
Replies
52
Views
13K