How did we ever manage without it?

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to venture out of town for a few days, which is something I haven’t done in a while. As I drove south on interstate 75 toward the Florida border, I seldom had the radio on and took advantage of some quiet time to collect my thoughts on a number of pressing issues I was dealing with. Having no idea what roads would lead me to my final destination, I would trust the reliability of my Global Positioning System (GPS) to get me where I needed to go. As the electronic voice on my GPS occasionally broke the silent air inside my rental vehicle, I was minded of the many times I had to rely upon printed road maps for those long distant trips.

Like many people my age, there was once a time when printed road maps were our only source of navigation. We were lost without them. Whenever necessary, I would purchase one at a local filling station. Then, I would sit down and carefully plot a course to wherever I was heading, hoping that I selected the best possible route.

These days, I rely solely upon GPS technology anytime I venture away from my familiar surroundings. I pay roughly $4.95 a month to my cell phone provider for the convenience of have a GPS app on my smartphone. It travels everywhere I go and never once has it steered me wrong.

Long before GPS came around, I can remember the days of having my trusted road map sitting on the front seat next to me. I can also recall the number of times I had to pull off to the side of the road, just to be sure I was still on course while estimating my approximate time of arrival. I’m sure you can still find printed road maps if you really need one these days. No doubt, there are some people in this world who still like doing things the old fashion way. Not everyone is eager to embrace new technology or make changes in the way they do things. However, I do find one thing for certain…a GPS mapping system with turn-by-turn verbal commands allows me to keep my attention more focused on the road where it needs to be. I cringe at the thought of driving next to someone who is traveling 70 mph down the freeway and trying to study a road map at the same time. Not only are they placing lives at risk, they’re setting a horrible example for younger passengers in this vehicle. Imagine trying to teach a teenager how to drive while constantly explaining why texting and driving is something you should never ever do. Sometimes we fail to remember that kids are looking to us as the example. They’re constantly watching and processing a whole lot of information. If they see you focusing your attention away from the road, how can you rightfully explain that what you do behind the wheel is acceptable? Be mindful of the road ahead of you anytime you’re driving, whether your kids are in the vehicle or not.

What I really like about GPS is that you rarely need to glance at the screen. This allows you to stay focused on traffic. If you pay careful attention, the GPS voice prompts will guide you every step of the way. While some people conveniently mount their GPS or smartphone on the dash where it’s easy to see, I simply place mine in an available cup holder in the center console. It’s like having your own personal travel guide sitting there next to you.

If you don’t own a smartphone, you can purchase a GPS from your local department store or auto parts location. You’ll find them in many cases for under $100. with no monthly fee. Just remember to lock it in your glove box or in the trunk of your vehicle anytime you step away. Crooks are always looking for something to steal.