If you're like most drivers, you probably use your GPS device or app to navigate the roads and get to your destination. But did you know that the GPS time estimate is the leading cause on fatalities on roads?Every day, millions of drivers around the world engage in a dangerous and addictive game: trying to beat the GPS time estimate. The game is simple: enter your destination on your GPS device or app, and try to arrive faster than the estimated time of arrival. Sounds fun, right? Wrong. This game has serious consequences for the drivers, the passengers, and the pedestrians who share the road with them.
According to a recent study by the World Health Organization, the GPS time challenge is one of the leading causes of road accidents and fatalities globally. The study found that most drivers take the GPS time estimate as a challenge to beat rather than a planning tool to help them know when they will arrive. This is prevalent mostly among men who never miss an opportunity to engage in a worthy challenge.
“When the GPS says that the Estimated Time of Arrival is 20 minutes, most people instinctively try to get to the destination in 15 minutes. This makes them drive faster than they would in normal circumstances, leading to accidents. This needs to stop.”
The practice is so rampant that some people even try to convert their cars to low flying planes. “In one case, someone learnt that it would take 30 minutes to fly to a destination or 5 hours if driving. The guy tried to drive to the destination in 30 minutes. He died after 6 minutes.”
Addictive Habit
The study also revealed that the GPS time challenge is highly addictive, as it triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates reward and pleasure, in the brain. The more the drivers beat the GPS time estimate, the more dopamine they get, and the more they want to play the game. Some drivers even go to extreme lengths to beat the GPS time, such as taking shortcuts through unsafe roads, driving in adverse weather conditions, or using illegal substances to stay alert.
The GPS time challenge is not only a threat to the drivers and the public, but also to the environment. The game encourages drivers to waste fuel, emit more greenhouse gases, and contribute to climate change. Moreover, the game distracts drivers from enjoying the journey, appreciating the scenery, and connecting with their passengers.
