GPS Use While Driving

Were you or your loved one injured or killed as a result of the negligence of someone who was using a GPS while driving? You are not alone.

According to the Automotive Business Review, approximately 7% of 220 million cars in the United States have some type of Global Positioning System (GPS).  The small electronic devices can be easily installed on a dashboard, or handheld by drivers, who plug in addresses or landmarks they are driving to and get directions from their GPS riding shotgun.

Though popularity of GPS devices in automobiles has surged in recent years, some critics say that the gadgets are one more distraction for drivers who are already multi-tasking and causing accidents while eating, grooming, using cell phones, etc.  

They cite the story of two drivers in New York who were instructed by their GPS systems to turn onto railroad tracks.  The drivers followed the GPS advice – to the detriment of their vehicles which were struck by trains after the drivers abandoned the cars lodged in the tracks.

Reports of similar incidents in England emerged after truck drivers found themselves stuck between buildings when they were routed by their electronic navigation systems through rural villages with extremely narrow streets.

GPS advocates argue that the GPS devices aren’t to blame – failure to exercise common sense is the problem.  Fred Zahradnik, a technical writer for about.com, suggests the following reasons supporting his belief that you’re actually safer with GPS:

• You know where you’re going.
• You don’t need to deal with maps.
• GPS improves night driving safety.
• You know which lane to be in.
• Safety features [help you during emergencies]

Perhaps it is too early to know if the benefits outweigh the shortcomings of GPS devices as navigation aids in vehicles. One thing is certain, though – the more attention drivers pay to driving, the less likely accidents are to occur and the safer we all are – whether you’re on the cutting edge of GPS technology, or relying on a good old-fashioned paper map to get you to your destination.  

If you have been in a single-car accident and were using a GPS device, or were involved in an accident with another vehicle and a GPS may be to blame, contact a car accident attorney who can examine your case and identify possible claims you may have as a result of the accident.