Driving Safely With a GPS

Distracted driving includes a wide variety of distracting activities. When you discuss distracted driving, you most commonly think of texting, talking on your phone, or turning around to speak to your kids or other passengers. Nonetheless, any time a driver’s attention is taken away from driving and focused on something else, the driver is indeed distracted, and the odds of an accident increase dramatically.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018 alone. Among those killed: 1,730 drivers, 605 passengers, 400 pedestrians, and 77 bicyclists. 

Using a GPS while driving is a very common distracted driving behavior. If you’re improperly using your GPS and cause an accident, you risk liability for damage and injuries. If you’ve been involved in a distracted driving accident, let an Easton car accident lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis help.

Why is Using a GPS Considered Distracting?

Drivers tend to look down at their GPS or otherwise interact with the device while driving. Drivers who use their phones as GPS devices may also be tempted to use the device for other reasons, such as checking or sending an email or checking or sending a text message.

Drivers can always avoid using their phones while driving; even if there is an emergency call or message, they can always find a safe place to pull over and deal with the emergency. But using a GPS is often a necessary task. How can drivers safely use a GPS while operating a vehicle?

How Can I Use My GPS Device Safely?

GPS devices can be used safely on the roadways. Here are some tips:

• Become familiar with how your GPS device works and all of its various features before you use it for the first time.
• Mount the device safely where you can look at it when you need to, yet it doesn’t block your windshield view. This is the law in some states.
• Pre-enter your destination before you start driving. Review the route after entering your destination so that you won’t be surprised by where the device is taking you.
• Most GPS devices have a voice mode; the device will tell you when and where to turn so that you don’t have to look at it at all.
• If you have to interact with a GPS while driving, pull over to a safe location.

Contact an Easton Car Accident Lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis For More Information

There is no need to let a GPS device cause an accident if you follow these simple tips. However, if you are involved in a vehicle accident, your first call should be to an Easton car accident lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis, even before you call your insurance company. They can help you with any type of accident, including those that result in injury,  serious injury, or even death.  

Contact us for further information and to schedule your free consultation.