#SpeedLimitAssumptions #GPSApps #RandomThoughts #DrivingEtiquette
Do you ever find yourself driving down the road, minding your own business, when suddenly your GPS app chimes in with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) that assumes you will be breaking the speed limit? 🚗⏰ It’s more common than you might think, and it can leave you feeling quite presumptuous on the part of these navigation tools.
The Supposed Need for Speed
GPS apps are designed to help you navigate from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. They take into account traffic patterns, road closures, and other factors that may impact your journey. However, some GPS apps seem to have a tendency to assume that you will be speeding to reach your destination on time.
There you are, cruising along at a safe and legal speed, when your app calculates your ETA based on the assumption that you will exceed the speed limit. It begs the question – why do GPS apps assume that breaking the law is the norm?
The Consequences of Speeding
Speed limits are put in place for a reason – to keep drivers and pedestrians safe on the road. Exceeding the speed limit not only puts you at risk of receiving a ticket or causing an accident, but it also contributes to traffic congestion and pollution.
By assuming that you will break the speed limit, GPS apps inadvertently encourage risky driving behavior. This can lead to a domino effect of negative consequences that go beyond just arriving at your destination a few minutes earlier.
Taking Control of Your ETA
So, what can you do when your GPS app assumes you will break the speed limit to reach your destination on time? Here are some tips to help you take control of your ETA and drive safely:
– Plan ahead: Leave plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling the pressure to speed.
– Adjust your settings: Some GPS apps allow you to set your own speed limits or preferences for calculating your ETA.
– Stay informed: Keep an eye on traffic updates and road conditions to anticipate any delays that may impact your journey.
– Drive responsibly: Remember that speeding is not worth the risk to your safety or the safety of others on the road.
Next time your GPS app makes an assumption about your driving habits, take a moment to consider the implications. By driving responsibly and following the speed limit, you can ensure a safe and stress-free journey to your destination. 🛣️🚦 #DriveSafe #ArriveAlive #SpeedLimitAwareness
I always wondered about this. Like how can it be that accurate when I know I sped most of the way
It’s because speeding by 5-10mph does very little to change your actual eta. You can research this yourself but the reality is speeding by a small amount doesn’t really change your travel time. If you manage to actually increase your average speed to 5mph over the speed limit for your entire trip the eta will lower on google but chances are you’ll hit a red light or three, or some traffic, and all the time you would have gained is lost.
It knows how you drive. My friend and I once both pulled up google maps directions to someplace and we got different times
Most satnav systems these days base their predicions on *your* previous drives it knows about. By doing this is can consider the speeds that *you* typically travel.
So many times I’ve had someone aggressively speeding passed me, only for me to catch up to them a few minutes later at a set of lights. It really is pointless. I could see maybe a very long journey on a motorway would make sense to maintain a higher speed though, you might shave a few minutes off.