I find myself generally unable to operate in this manner. In fact, in the years of driving I've done with a GPS, I've only ever used it as either a backup to the directions I already had, or to bail me out when I made an error/was forced into a detour/got horrendously lost.
This past weekend, for example, I did a fair amount of driving (though a little less than I expected). Because there were so many different venues crammed into a weekend, I made a list of the excursions I would likely be making, and used Google Maps to provide me with directions. When I hit the road on Friday afternoon, I had about six different sets of directions printed out and crammed in my purse.
I know a GPS shouting directions at me is probably safer than frequent glances at a piece of paper, but I much prefer the latter method.
I don't like fidgeting with a GPS while driving—I'd argue that doing so is exponentially more dangerous than holding a piece of paper in one hand and the steering wheel in the other.
I hate the repetitiveness of a GPS, too, as it announces your upcoming turn/exit several times, sometimes even after you've taken it. Please shut up and let me listen to my music in peace.
But in getting directions online, I'm able to familiarize myself with the route I'll be taking, at least on a general level. I like being prepared whenever possible, and when driving, that means having a general awareness of the highways and roads on which I'll be traveling.
I've always been really good with directions, too—directions just make sense to me, and I have somewhat of a natural instinct in finding my way on the road. Plus, I process everything I pass, making return or reverse trips a relatively effortless endeavor.
So with a combination of my memory/inherent ease at navigation and the directional overview Google Maps has given me, I don't often even need directions to come home.
Unless, of course, I get lost.
Plus, Google Maps lets me play around with alternate routing in a way that is much easier than on a GPS. I get to see the different options I can take, the mileage for each one, and the additional travel time that's likely to occur in traffic. When driving down to Ocean City a few weeks back, for instance, I avoided the Garden State Parkway, which I knew would be extremely backed up on a Friday afternoon. Instead, I played around a bit and found a route that was only six minutes longer, two miles lengthier, and not at all difficult to navigate.
I will say, however, that a GPS would be incredibly useful if I were to move somewhere new, or even travel in an area that's unfamiliar to me.
Back when I was in Arizona, for example, much of our traveling was done via GPS, although during the time we were in town, I managed to familiarize myself with a map of downtown Scottsdale and provide a verbal navigation to whomever was driving.
But it's a nice thing to have if you don't have internet access or the time to sit down, fiddle around, and print out the sets of directions you might need. Plus, some people are crazy enough to be spontaneous, so I imagine a GPS helps immensely when making a sudden decision to travel to x location.
Like I said, I'm sure most people will disagree. But I'll stick to having the GPS serve as my safety blanket.
No comments:
Post a Comment