This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NAVTEQ. All opinions are 100% mine.
Back in 2008 there was a pretty wild story that circulated the internet about how a man ended up getting his car got stuck on the Metro-North tracks in Bedford Hills in Westchester after his GPS guided his car to drive over the tracks. Fortunately the man escaped without any injuries and so did the passengers on the train, but the man’s car did get leveled. Many blamed his GPS navigation system for this accident, and some blamed the driver. But I suspect a different culprit to have been responsible – OLD MAPS! I suspect that the man was probably using his GPS system running an outdated map system, so you can hardly blame the GPS for guiding him over tracks in this instance.I myself have experienced the wrath of operating a GPS system with outdated maps. Recently on a trip to Canada I made sure that my GPS system was equipped with maps of Ontario and Quebec, but I neglected to check if my maps were up-to date. It wasn’t until I found myself heading the opposite way down a one way street that I realized the error of my ways. Would my trip had been as stress free without my GPS system? No! It was a priceless tool having it around, since it helped me get everywhere on time without getting lost or having to ask for directions, but the outdated maps did create some problems along the way. In one instance I searched the POIs in my GPS for a restaurant which I ended up circling around for for an hour, only to discover later that it was no longer in business. Which brings me to another reason why it’s important to update your GPS system – so that you can have a fresh database of POIs for the latest landmarks, ATMS, restaurants, etc. Map updates also have the benefit off adding the newest and best alternate routes to your system which often leads to more fuel efficiency.
Currently, NAVTEQ is the leading company whose technology and maps power most of the in-car navigation systems and the leading brands of GPS-enabled devices in the U.S., so chances are yours is one of them. You can head to www.updateyourmap.com to find the map update that is right for your system. The reality is that most people don’t realize how important it is to jump on map updates, not at least until you’ve been inconvenienced by an outdated map system. Also, before accepting a hand me down GPS navigation system, make sure that you update the maps on the system, even if it ends up costing you a minimal fee.
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