GPS: Genius, Practical, and Sneaky

Why is it telling me to go there? This route right here looks way more efficient…but I guess I’ll just do what it says. Such thought patterns arise frequently when I activate my mobile GPS, as if they are downloaded along with the navigation apps themselves. As soon as I glimpse the pre-drawn route on my phone screen, I unclench my jaw and relax my neck into the headrest, because it is only there to help me…right?

Before I know it, all of my attention as a driver is directed toward my GPS and away from my surroundings. I just want to make sure I know exactly which exit to take, and how my estimated time of arrival might change so I can update whoever awaits me at my destination. Harmless! I make a mental note of the little police icons and scroll up and down the route to double-check, then triple-check, any nearby accidents.

Suddenly, I realize more red braking lights are popping up in front of me than are normal white rear lights. Snatching my foot off the accelerator, I try to gauge whether I need to brake, change lanes, or stay put. Thankfully, there happens to be sufficient room between my car and the one ahead, and nothing more drastic happens. But why wasn’t this slow-down recorded on my GPS app? Frustrated, I report the new traffic, smile at the cute confirmation icon that thanks me for my input, and continue driving.

It is in these moments that I’ve realized I am a distracted driver. Though designed to keep me focused on the road and nothing else, GPS programs instead often put me at risk for thinking I can multitask. I become stuck in my wonders and worries about driving in the future, whether that future is just a couple hundred feet ahead of me or in twenty minutes’ time on the highway. This takes me away from the present moment, and I fail to notice awareness of my immediate surroundings slipping away.

Leaning on the GPS has also prevented me from gaining a basic understanding of local geography and terrain. Instead of actually learning where I am by looking around, I am more engrossed in studying the map on my screen. I am embarrassed to admit I have an easier time recognizing certain locations on Google Maps or Waze than I do in real life. Even routine destinations and driving routes I practice weekly can feel a bit blurry without my apps.

Recognizing these dangerous habits has underscored to me the importance of driver education in today’s rapidly modernizing world. From elaborate stereo systems to built-in cameras to self-driving cars, we are overwhelmed by technology from every angle while on the road. These distractions make the solid foundation established in driver education even more critical for protecting new drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Proper education provides drivers with the basic tools and vehicle control on which they can fall back at any time, regardless of whether or not their digital navigation apps are working. Although defaulting to autopilot behind the wheel is never ideal, I believe we must acknowledge that doing so is becoming increasingly easy – and hazardous – due to widespread GPS usage. Thus, it is paramount that driver education also adapts to this reality and teaches learners how to maintain autonomy from their favorite devices.

Even after formal driver education, it is never too late for one to identify and correct their own distracted driving tendencies. In order to address mine, I plan to start detaching myself from my phone while driving. I’ll start small, driving to places that I know by heart but that prompt me to open my GPS anyway in hopes of catching a new short-cut or real-time traffic hack. I aim to allot extra time for these trips, because I recognize that much of my reliance on GPS comes from a desire to schedule everything to the last minute. With this tendency in mind, I will make sure to give myself an extra cushion of time to work out any wrong turns or unexpected delays. If I arrive somewhere early, I’ll simply take advantage of the wait to observe my whereabouts and file away noteworthy details for next time.

Once I become more comfortable with the roads I do know, I’ll begin exploring the many others that I should know. I will first map out my trips to establish my bearings before hopping in the car. While driving, I intend to make logical calculations about the geography of my route, which will help me gain confidence in employing common sense on the road. As much as I love to listen to music in the car, I will take a temporary break so that my one and only focus is driving responsibly. If I am unsure of where I am, I’ll make sure to pull over rather than hurriedly punch in random addresses into my GPS. Upon arriving at my destination, I am eager to use the extra time I have given myself to evaluate the experience. Even a few minutes of reflection to note down what went well and what could be improved could make a world of difference. Whether driving or parked, I will prioritize staying calm, patient, and safe as I work to reduce my GPS dependency.

After two years of experience on the road, I am glad to have pinpointed key patterns of distracted driving in both myself and others. For many of us, GPS once served as a helpful security blanket. They allowed us to concentrate solely on the task of driving itself rather than on our anxiety regarding navigation. Ironically, though, those GPS aids have now become a hindrance. The apps distract us with the soothing reassurance that if we simply follow their colorful arrows and endearing graphics, the driving portion will become second nature. After reflecting on these common pitfalls, I now recognize the danger in simply going through the motions without thinking and becoming overly reliant on technology while driving.

Looking ahead, I plan to claim back my responsibility and agency as the person behind the wheel. I also hope to spread this knowledge in order to educate other young drivers. I am eager for my generation and future generations to gain confidence in navigating the world around us and problem-solving on the go. More importantly, though, I look forward to knowing that it is each of us, not our GPS, who are truly the ones in control.