GPS BAN

ARE THEY BANNING THE GPS??????? IF SO WHY?

because the liberals enjoy slowly ripping away the rights of the citizens and turning Ontario in to a nanny state?

sorry, that's all I could come up with

Good question....I'd like to hear an authoritative answer to that....would our police know or the local MPP?

Dar wrote:

ARE THEY BANNING THE GPS??????? IF SO WHY?

They should ban the GPS or tracking devices and radio contact from Mcguinty's airplane mid flight some where over the largest ocean in the world

But ya honestly if they ban car gps units then they will have major lawsuits and will be forced to buyout the companies that produce them. For some of these billion dollar gps companies thats all they make, car gps units and what about all the vehicles that were made with gps built in? I dont even think they are dangerous anyways, most of them talk to you and you dont even half to touch anything other than before you leave your laneway. Just another stupid law to make it look like Mcgutless is doin somthin worth while.

From what I have read the proposed ban is on electronic hand held devices, such as phones, blackberrys, etc. I have a gps but I never deal with it when I'm driving. I punch in all the information before I leave. I have to say that being a visiting nurse, there is a temptation to answer those pages between clients to save much needed time, but temptation must be overcome for safety reasons obviously.

Not only is it going to be illegal to drink and drive but illegal to drink and putt!!!!!!

It's not "proposed". It's just something he is supposedly considering. But he wants to ban everything electronic to cover products that haven't been invented yet. Truly stupid. That would make a potentially life-saving device or safety feature illegal before it is even made available ... such as back-up cameras which are starting to become standard on some vehicles that have a built-in GPS.

The effect of GPS, a major study by a Dutch firm found, is significantly enhanced vehicle safety. It increases drivers' alertness, reduces stress by reducing the driver's workload, and has the added benefit of cutting mileage by 16 per cent. So it's good for the environment, too.

From personal experience, it's sort-of like a rear view mirror. You check when you need to, but mostly you just listen.

Regarding cells, it has already been shown that handsfree is no better, so clearly he doesn't have all the facts.

I haven't read anything on this but I am getting the jist it is a ban while driving? if this is the case I don't see the problem, just as I don't see the problem as not being able to use a cell while driving... there are too many people out there who have a hard enough problem controlling there guided missle all by themselves, they don't need another gadget to make them any more dangerous. Besides how did we survive when we had nothing more than a map and a decent ability to plan ahead? As far as a potentially lifesaving device... oddly enough, in some cases it's these devices that put onself into the life-threatning position in the first place! Ironic eh? As far as those rear mounted cameras go, I think they are one of the stupidest addition to the car to try and make the driver more lazy, and more dependant on the crap added to his/her car to be able to drive it. My big question is... what happens when such add-ons fail? Will you know what to do, or will you become a mere 'fish out of water'? If you need a camera to help you back up, I don't think you have much business behind the wheel, so get a smaller car so you can see with your own two eyes.

Same goes for things like, ABS, power brakes, traction/stability control etc. if these "gimmicks fail" most drivers today don't know what to do.

lol but back to the GPS, mankind has survived for a long time without one, get a map, figure your route, (or take it with you in case of the need for an alternate) I have driven ALL over and have never been tempted to buy a GPS

SkullyCapone wrote:

They should ban the GPS or tracking devices and radio contact from Mcguinty's airplane mid flight some where over the largest ocean in the world

I second that!!

aguyinbrantford wrote:

how did we survive when we had nothing more than a map and a decent ability to plan ahead?

We survived - Just not as well. You can't plan for everything and a GPS is much, much more efficient. Plus there are added benefits to a GPS, such as finding local accommodation, restaurants, reviews, phone #'s, finding alternate routes in case of bad traffic, etc, etc.

aguyinbrantford wrote:

My big question is... what happens when such add-ons fail? Will you know what to do, or will you become a mere 'fish out of water'?

If your computer fails, can you still work a pen?

aguyinbrantford wrote:

If you need a camera to help you back up, I don't think you have much business behind the wheel

Due to the design of some cars, either because of aerodynamics, aesthetics, or length, it is more difficult to check distance. Hell, it is always difficult, regardless. Backup cameras are a smart addition to further assist ... especially if a small kid chases after a ball behind you while you're checking one of the other two mirrors. Consumer Reports highly recommended the optional backup camera for Prius owners.

aguyinbrantford wrote:

Same goes for things like, ABS, power brakes, traction/stability control etc. if these "gimmicks fail" most drivers today don't know what to do.

They'd do the same thing they did years ago ... crash. Humans can't reproduce stability control. And they can't mimic ABS as well as a car can.

aguyinbrantford wrote:

lol but back to the GPS, mankind has survived for a long time without one, get a map, figure your route, (or take it with you in case of the need for an alternate) I have driven ALL over and have never been tempted to buy a GPS

Mankind had survived for a long time without cars ... computers ... the telephone ...
You're stuck in traffic. What are you going to do - Unfold a map to find an alternate route while your inching along. My GPS senses when I'm stuck in traffic and automatically selects an alternate route. Of course ... in the winter - I could try sled dogs. I heard they're pretty good at that sort of thing.

I have found that using a GPS saves time, gasoline and aggravation. Other benefits mentioned above showing other info like the closest gas station, restaurant or shopping etc . Like I mentioned before probably one of the best electronics purchases I have made.
I think using a GPS is safer for navigation than having a map spread on the steering wheel while on the QEW. I have seen this more than once.
So a Dutch study shows GPS usage beneficial to safety-this will probably be ignored by our government. They seem to have an aversion to studies/reports from other countries peferring to reinvent the wheel using local consultants.

Having only had a GPS for a few months, I can say that they are a valuable tool and a god send when travelling....especially in unfamiliar urban areas and on vacations. I also agree that the frustration of reading maps and signage can be more of a safety issue than using the GPS as a pilot. Locating gas stations , restaurants etc. is an added bonus.....not to mention the marriages saved by avoiding the you drive, I'll navigate syndrome ...that is often very tense.
Banning the GPS devices would be using the "shot gun approach " to solve the problem when using a rifle would do. (ie all or nothing....)..and that would be counterproductive in my opinion.

"We survived - Just not as well. You can't plan for everything and a GPS is much, much more efficient. Plus there are added benefits to a GPS, such as finding local accommodation, restaurants, reviews, phone #'s, finding alternate routes in case of bad traffic, etc, etc."
- A GPS is a glorified electronic map... the only thing you can't plan for ahead of time is something like road construction, and if you follow the detour signs correctly, you still don't need a GPS. With a GPS people don't have to plan is all. They can get in thier car and be told what to do.

"Due to the design of some cars, either because of aerodynamics, aesthetics, or length, it is more difficult to check distance. Hell, it is always difficult, regardless. Backup cameras are a smart addition to further assist ... especially if a small kid chases after a ball behind you while you're checking one of the other two mirrors. Consumer Reports highly recommended the optional backup camera for Prius owners."
-Have you ever driven a D or A class vehicle? You learn how to drive with such obsticles. I used to drive fairly large twin axle beer trucks, and all you have are your side mirrors.

"They'd do the same thing they did years ago ... crash. Humans can't reproduce stability control. And they can't mimic ABS as well as a car can."
-I dissagree, a lot of people can't drive a car with normal brakes, or missing the other gismo's because they have become so dependant on the computer to babysit them for example, ABS... drivers are told to floor the brakes (in a hard braking situation) now remove the ABS if you try that same thing you will lock it up and get lucky or crash, they don't know how to read the feedback they get from the pedal and steering wheel to keep the car under control. Also unless you are driving an expensive car, the electronic aids aren't that sophisticated that they can't be mimmicked by a skilled human pilot.

"Consumer Reports highly recommended the optional backup camera for Prius owners"
-Because people aren't trained anymore to properly use thier mirrors... slow it down and be aware of your surroundings and you don't need a camera, I bet they work well when it's raining LOL what do you do then? just don't back up?


The more crap that is added to a car, the lazier the driver gets, and then they need more junk to help them "drive better" IMO when someone learns how to drive (and I know my son is going to learn this way) on a vehicle that has NO babysitter aids, learn how to 'read' from the steering wheel, the brake pedal, and from the feel you get from the seat. what to do.

"Have you ever driven a D or A class vehicle? You learn how to drive with such obsticles. I used to drive fairly large twin axle beer trucks, and all you have are your side mirrors."

The camera removes the blind spot the mirrors can't see. When you back that big D or A class truck up there is an area directly behind the truck that is not shown by the mirrors. Yes you can judge where you are by using the mirrors but what about something say a child in the blind spot? Having the camera to help you see them and thus possibly save you from running them over, is it not worth it?

Same goes with ABS. It takes the guess work out of emergency braking. Slam the brakes on and let the computer do the work. If they fail then your driver training should take over correct? Even if it is less efficient. Even a basic ABS system can regulate the brakes far better than a human. Look at Formula 1, they employ all sorts of computer assisted driving aids. And when they remove them and the driver takes over the difference is night and day. And these guys are as skilled as you get.

I've had a GPS for about a year and a half now. As a female who travels alone on a regular basis, I have found my GPS to be a lifesaver in a few instances.

Best Example: I was stuck on the QEW for 2 hours one winter's day. A tractor trailer rollover had occurred and traffic was forced to exit the highway. I hadn't a clue where I was. It was getting dark, hard to see signs and I was still 2 hours from home. I was running low on fuel, there were no detour signs, I had already eaten the snacks & water I had packed. Other drivers were not particularly pleased with me driving slowly looking for signs in the dark. I wasn't in the best of neighbourhoods either and wasn't comfortable hopping out and knocking on doors to ask for directions. I was starting to panic, kept calm, made my way home but I was truly exhausted.

I bought a GPS one week later.

Now, when traffic slows on the QEW and I suspect there MAY be an accident looming on the horizon, I automatically take the next exit and the GPS navigates me through with confidence.

I don't find it a distraction at all. On the contrary, it has helped me out of many problems and anyone with any common sense knows, look at the road. The GPS has voice navigation for a reason. It's like listening to the radio.

Later Gators!

Good for you Wheels .We have GPS my wife likes it so she looks after it and tells me where to turn i never look at it unless we stop

The whole point everyone missed is those who put their GPS on "top" of their dash.
Built in units are not in the driver's line of sight.....I drive by so many people everyday to Oakville and back at night, and I can't imagine how they drive without being distracted by the screen on their dash, in some case right in front of them....I guess common sense in mounting them might help

My GPS has voice navigation so I very seldom ever look at the unit sitting on my dash. As Wheels said, it is like listening to the radio. It tells me how far ahead before I have to turn left or right, etc. Much better than having to search for signs and then having to cross 2 or 3 lanes of traffic to get off at the exit I need. I feel so much safer having it as it reconfigures if I take a different route than it suggests. One wrong turn and it knows so just goes ahead and reconfigures the route. I'm with you on this one Wheels.

tbill wrote:

The whole point everyone missed is those who put their GPS on "top" of their dash.
Built in units are not in the driver's line of sight.....I drive by so many people everyday to Oakville and back at night, and I can't imagine how they drive without being distracted by the screen on their dash, in some case right in front of them....I guess common sense in mounting them might help

That's like saying your rear-view mirror is distracting. Admittedly, when you first get it, it's difficult not to glance frequently to see what's going on, but that "wow-factor" passes after a couple of days. And during that time, you just have to have constraint as to when you glance at it. Now I just glance at it the same as I would a rear-view mirror - but only if I need to.

Actually, having it on the dash or on your windshield (mine is directly below the rear-view mirror) makes it safer to look at then a built-in type that forces you to look down towards the center console if you need to glance at it. Consequently, my eyes are always on the road.