You can't get lost with a Tom Tom GPS Navigator

Recently I was working in an interstate city. However, I didn't take my Tom Tom GPS navigator with me because I was not expecting to be driving in unfamiliar territory. But things changed when I got redirected from a main road by the police, due to a three-car crash in the intersection that I was intending to turn left out of. Instead of turning left, I had to turn right.

Normally if such a thing should happen it is only a matter of making a few turns either left or right and I can make my way out of there without much hassle at all. But not that day! The road I was directed into had a series of small residential side streets on the left and no right turn signs in operation on the right. By the time I got the opportunity to make a turn, I was unsure of where it would take me. So now I was confused, disoriented - lost!

Experiencing such emotions when driving increases our chances of making serious mistakes quite considerably, so I decided to make a turn anyway and drive away from the busy road into a quiet street to regather my thoughts. Providence was on my side too. There was a driver siting in his car parked in the street I turned into, so I stopped and asked him for directions.

I don't know about you, but oftentimes when it comes to reading street directories I find it a difficult task. I have a poor sense of direction at the best of times, so to try and understand street directions from a book in another city is something that I can well do without. Very often I have to turn the maps upside down to get myself a clearer picture!

But thankfully, the man sitting in his car did have a directory and with his assistance and patience I was able to get some insight into where I was currently and where I needed to travel to get myself back on path. Eventually I arrived at my destination and was only about fifteen minutes late for my appointment, which suited my client as it turned out anyway, because he was running late too.

But oh how I missed my Tom Tom turn by turn navigation device that day. One of the promotional statements on the packaging box of my Tom Tom GPS complete and portable navigation system reads, 'Drive relaxed, travel safely, arrive on time!' For myself, after that event, I consider that not only to be a promotional statement, but also a wise statement. Much more do I appreciate my Tom Tom's overall clear instructions, its user-friendly menu with high resolution graphics, its crystal clear 3D view for perfect viewing day and night, plus the spoken instructions in my own language.

I learned my lesson too. Now when I go interstate I take my Tom Tom GPS navigator with me regardless.

One of the reasons many drivers refuse to drive in peak hour traffic or on busy freeways, is the dread of being caught in the wrong lane and being unable to reposition themselves. The thought of that is just too stressful for them so they don't do it. As a crash-avoidance driver consultant, I agree with their decision whole-heartedly. I'm all for a driver avoiding stressful situations when they have the choice of doing so.

On the other hand, if those same drivers came into the possession of a Tom Tom Global Positioning System Navigator, they would find it makes lane positioning a breeze. Why? Because when driving to their desired destination they will either be instructed to stay in the lane they're currently in or they'll be informed well in advance which lane to prepare to reposition to. It could not be any simpler and that's only one of the features. One of my favorite features is the choice of routes: such as quickest, shortest, plus avoiding toll roads - and freeways when they are jammed.

Given that I am not a technical person, I like to keep things basic. So as a result, my Tom Tom is not equipped with the features of more expensive models. But I could add some extras if I wanted to. On a safety note: Research tells us that the main reason we fail on the roads as drivers is because of a lack of concentration. For that same reason, I do not look at or touch my Tom Tom GPS high-quality touchscreen in travel. I simply set my desired route before I drive off and then trust the spoken instructions as they come to me. Consciously, I am switched on and listen - but I avoid looking or touching. To lessen the chances of road failure, I highly recommend that driving strategy.

© 2010. Article only. Roger Williams.