{"id":1739,"date":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-01-26T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.awjlaw.com\/2016\/01\/26\/navigation-and-gps-safety-tips\/"},"modified":"2024-08-29T21:12:14","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T21:12:14","slug":"navigation-and-gps-safety-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.awjlaw.com\/blog\/navigation-and-gps-safety-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigation and GPS Safety Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Navigating a vehicle can be difficult in certain situations, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the route. Fortunately, GPS and navigation systems are fairly common in vehicles on Georgia roadways. Whether your automobile came stocked with a navigation system, offers OnStar guidance, or you purchased a handheld GPS device, just about every vehicle is equipped with some sort of electronic mapping device.<\/p>\n

These devices have caused paper maps to be a thing of the past, which is good for a variety of reasons. The simplest being that following electronic turn-by-turn directions is much easier than deciphering paper maps. It is also much safer to use electronic voice navigation so that drivers aren’t tempted to look at their paper maps while behind the wheel.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, GPS technologies can also be fatally dangerous. The obvious dangers lie in drivers becoming distracted by the electronic devices. Updating or changing routes while driving can be extremely unsafe. Another potential danger is that navigation and GPS systems sometimes don\u2019t take into account the law of the road. For instance, if you miss a turn or need to be driving in the opposite direction, GPS devices will oftentimes instruct you to make a U-turn at the next opportunity. The state of Georgia imposes regulations on what intersections can be navigated via a U-turn for safety reasons. In the event that you cause an accident by following the ill-advised instruction of a navigation system, you will likely be held liable for the crash. Ultimately, your own common sense and judgement should override any instruction given by a GPS system.<\/p>\n

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using electronic navigation:<\/p>\n