Death by GPS refers to the death of people attributable, in part, to following GPS directions or GPS maps. For example, several deaths in Death Valley have been partially attributed to death by GPS, as have the lost hiker at Joshua Tree National Park in southeastern California, as well as deaths in Washington State, Australia, England, and Italy.
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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).
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." The National Park Service has posted the following message on the Directions & Transportation page of the official Death Valley Park website:
"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.