Couple stranded following GPS

The shortest route is not always the best route. You still have to use your
brain.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_stranded_motorists

GRANTS PASS, Ore. - A Nevada couple letting their SUV's navigation system
guide them through the high desert of Eastern Oregon got stuck in snow for
three days when the GPS unit sent them down a remote forest road.

On Sunday, atmospheric conditions apparently changed enough for their
GPS-enabled cell phone to get a weak signal and relay coordinates to a
dispatcher, Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger said.

"GPS almost did 'em in and GPS saved 'em," Evinger said. "It will give you
options to pick the shortest route. You certainly get the shortest route.
But it may not be a safe route."

Ed Pawlowski wrote:

Guess they shoulda sprung for one of those high end GPS devices that
reminds you not to drive in snow too deep for your vehicle. Ah, Darwin
at work....

wrote:


These folks are to STUPID to be issued a Drivers License....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20091230/sc_space/lostcouplecantblamegpsairforcesays

forgot to add my comment....
that it's really sad that the USAF even has to "comment"
on some moronic news tag line
that would imply it was the fault of the GPS sats...

Our whole world has become one big tabloid society,
with stupidity running as the norm...

GaryinOregon wrote:

That goes back to the common sense thing. I still have my paper maps. I
also will not go down an unpaved road with 12" of snow just because the GPS
tells me I can. To blindly follow the GPS on a long trip is just stupid.
Some advance planning goes a long way to surviving.

We've had this discussion before. I can drive from my house in CT to LA
just by following the road signs and knowing that Ohio comes after PA. When
I get to LA though, it is very nice to have a GPS to get me from the higway
to 90210 Bevery Hills Boulevard.