http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/05/death-by-gps/

Hey all, I thought I'd share an interesting piece that explores the infamous "death by GPS" phenomenon we've discussed a number of times here.

It kinda mirrors my experience with "someone else driving me somewhere in a strange town" -- no detailed memory is formed without active processing.

A primary example in the article is the ordeal of Albert and Rita Chretien, who fell off the grid en route to Nevada in 2011. As I recall, we discussed their plight at length (and with, ahem, considerable vigour) some years back.

And this is the technology that will navigate self-driving cars?

Rand McNally Road Atlas Get one.

I like GPS as much or more than the next guy, but I also know that technology has been known to mess up. GPS receivers are great and generally know where they are located to under 20 feet. That does not mean that the map overlay is right. I've seen errors in the GPS maps on my Garmin Nuvi. The data is input by mere mortals...

As for driving into lakes and such, can't help you there, seek professional care...

Google maps tried to direct me off of a cliff once, so I understand completely. In built up areas, gps directions are generally good. But, as experience has shown: Nothing beats a roadmap and a decent compass once you get out a ways.

That is an excellent and very thought-provoking article, Doug, thanks very much for posting the link. So much information -- am interested to see where the research goes on whether brains are actually altered by reliance on GPS.

Love my Garmin GPS and the map-apps on my phone (IOS, Google, Waze) but my car remains well-stocked with paper maps -- local, regional and national. For any road trip to an area I'm not well-acquainted with, I study my destination and routes via Google Map on my laptop. These days I probably won't look at a paper map to plan the trip but certainly will have at least a paper road atlas in the car.

I live in DC and even around here the GPS/phone app may choose a certain route as the fastest/most direct while those of us who live here know darn good and well that the best route is a different one.

There will be many more deaths "by GPS" before the technology improves enough to calculate the many variables that can go into whether a route on a particular day is really the best bet for a particular vehicle and its occupants.

Meanwhile.... be prepared.

I don't often use GPS to find my way somewhere. I much prefer maps and pre-trip research. But I'll use GPS to "find my way OUT of somewhere" if need be (i.e., I'm lost!)

It is worth remembering that any map can be outdated quickly due to new construction, etc.This situation is almost routine when hiking with topographic maps - the topography will be quite reliable but the depiction of roads and trails, building, and the like may be hopelessly outdated.

Check the date on the map you are using, it is useful information.

Similar problems with relying on cell phone technology...until its wrong, out of power or has no reception.

Its sad. I think in every instance I have read about death by GPS, the driver took a dirt road. A simple rule of thumb, "Don't take dirt roads," would have saved them all.

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.-Unknown

That just made me smile. In my province everywhere are dirt/gravel roads. In fact Saskatchewan has 1/3 of all the dirt roads in the country (120,000+ miles). If(!) you know the grid road system in the province it is practically impossible to get lost with a gravel grid road located every 1 or 2 miles apart going east/west and north/south which demarks the township Dominion land system.