Thanks to Global Positioning Systems (GPS), getting lost is virtually a thing of the past. Motorists simply type in the address of their destination, and the GPS system tells them exactly how to get there, and how long it will take. It will even re-route the driver if there is an accident on the road ahead, or if he or she misses a turn or mistakenly goes in the wrong direction. Drivers who are old enough to remember what it was like before GPS and Google Maps often wonder how they ever got anywhere. Although this technology has significantly improved the way drivers get from one place to another, GPS can also be a major distraction. In fact, according to a 2017 study commissioned by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, programming navigation systems was the most distracting activity for drivers, even more so than texting while driving. This can cause serious distracted driving car accidents. If a motorist is injured in a distracted driving accident involving another driver who was checking his or her GPS, the driver should contact a skilled lawyer as soon as possible.
GPS navigation systems are widely used by motorists across the United States and around the world, and have been described as the most precise navigation system ever invented. It is a global navigation satellite that provides motorists with information about location, velocity, and time synchronization. As GPS satellites circle the earth, they transmit signal information to GPS receivers, which take that information and use it to calculate the driver’s exact location.
There have been reports of drivers who, when following directions provided by the navigation app Waze, ended up turning onto train tracks or driving off the end of a ferry into an unfamiliar area. Although these are extreme examples, motorists can easily become confused or disoriented when driving in an unfamiliar or dangerous area, particularly when it is dark outside. In addition, some navigation apps and GPS systems offer a range of warning features. For example, the Waze app will alert the driver that a police officer is parked up ahead conducting speed checks. These navigation systems can also alert the driver when they are approaching a traffic jam, car accident, or construction zone. Each of these features are meant to be beneficial to the driver, but require them to input certain features manually. If a driver does this while driving, this results in a significant amount of time that their attention is off the road.
According to the public relations manager for AAA, in-vehicle technology has its benefits, but when motorists use their GPS while driving, it increases the risk of a car accident. The following are examples of distracted driving behaviors associated with GPS technology:
GPS systems are a safe and convenient navigation tool, particularly when drivers take the following simple precautions:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), in 2016, 3,450 people were fatally injured in distracted driving accidents, many of which involved motorists who were talking on the phone at the time of the accident. Although many believe that talking on a hands-free headset is a safe way to use the phone while driving, the National Safety Foundation found that the brain remains distracted regardless of whether a handheld phone or a hands-free headset is being used. These accidents are caused by visual distractions, manual distractions that cause the driver to take his or her hands off the steering wheel, or cognitive distractions that cause the driver to lose focus. In addition to talking and texting while driving or fiddling with the vehicle’s GPS system, distracted driving accidents are associated with eating or drinking while driving, putting on make-up, reaching for something on the floor or in the backseat, or interacting with other passengers in the vehicle. The following are additional statistics related to distracted driving:
If you or someone you know was seriously injured in a car accident involving another driver who was distracted by his or her GPS system, you are urged to contact the Los Angeles car accident lawyers at ACTS LAW as soon as possible. Distracted driving is a serious problem that can result in devastating injuries, and GPS systems are one of the top causes of distracted driving car accidents. Our experienced legal team will assist you with every phase of your case and address all your questions and concerns. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 833-228-7529 or contact us online.
With offices located in San Diego and Los Angeles, we serve clients throughout Southern California.
ACTS partner Boris Treyzon along with attorney Evan Koncan, secured a $1.575 million verdict for a woman who suffered injuries after stepping onto a sidewalk meter utility box. As she stepped on it, t...
Truck accidents can have devastating consequences, leading to severe injuries or even fatalities. While car accidents are more common, crashes involving large trucks pose a higher risk of harm. This a...
Motorcycle riding is a popular mode of transportation for millions of individuals in the United States. Every year, many Americans are enticed by the excitement and freedom of the open road, prompting...