Death by GPS

Death by GPS refers to the death of people attributable, in part, to following GPS directions or GPS maps.^[1][2][3] For example, several deaths in Death Valley have been partially attributed to death by GPS,^[4][5] as have the lost hiker at Joshua Tree National Park in southeastern California, as well as deaths in Washington State, Australia, England, and Italy.^[2]

What factors contribute to death by GPS?

There are multiple reasons why people following GPS directions have become lost, been injured, or have died. The reasons listed below may be combined with lack of working communications systems (e.g., lack of cellular coverage) with which to call for help, once a driver or hiker realizes they need assistance. Consequently, drivers or hikers have driven or walked off the road (e.g., into water, off bridges) or into remote, impassable, or dangerous areas; driven until their vehicles were out of fuel, mired, or disabled; succumbed to hazardous climate or weather conditions; or gotten lost (in some cases, never to be found).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

• Uncritical acceptance of turn-by-turn commands; paying more attention to the navigation system than what was in front of them, such as road signs and signals, barriers, and terrain^[2][3] For example, several deaths in Death Valley have been partially attributed to death by GPS.^[4][5]
• Unfamiliarity with or unawareness of hazardous conditions not noted by GPS, e.g., the local climate or weather conditions, construction, or closed, impassable, or dangerous roads
• Unfamiliarity with the area
• Lack of a current, accurate written map or written directions to use in concert with or in lieu of those provided by GPS
• Outdated or incorrect GPS maps
• The GPS directions may reflect the shortest distance between locations, regardless of whether or not the route is navigable

Precautions against death by GPS

Matthew McKenzie offers some precautions against death by GPS: "Use GPS and other mobile devices the way they should be used: as simple conveniences. Carry a real map, understand the local climate, and don't hesitate to turn around and go back the way you came if your directions don't 'feel' right."^[1] The National Park Service has posted the following message on the Directions & Transportation page of the official Death Valley Park website:^[6]

"Using GPS Navigation

GPS Navigation to sites to remote locations like Death Valley are notoriously unreliable. Numerous travelers have been directed to the wrong location or even dead-end or closed roads. Travelers should always carry up-to-date road maps to check the accuracy of GPS directions.

DO NOT DEPEND ONLY ON YOUR VEHICLE GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM."

See also

• Automation bias

References

1. McKenzie, Matthew. "'Death by GPS' a Growing Problem for Careless Drivers". AllBusiness.com. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
2. Milner, Greg (3 May 2016). "Death by GPS: Why do we follow digital maps into dodgy places?". Ars Technica. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
3. Milner, Greg (3 May 2016). Pinpoint: How GPS Is Changing Technology, Culture, and Our Minds (First, hardcover ed.). W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0393089127.
4. "Experts Warn of 'Death by GPS' as More People Visit Remote Wildernesses". Fox News. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
5. Knudson, Tom (30 January 2011). "'Death by GPS' in desert". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
6. "Death Valley National Park, CA, NV: Plan Your Visit: Directions & Transportation". National Park Service. Retrieved 24 June 2016.