GPS over reliance, summed up in seven words.
Seriously, what would you do if you didn't have a map, didn't have a GPS and came across a road closure? You'd find your way out of it, probably by turning around, retracing your steps until you worked out how to deal with the problem, wouldn't you. Please say, yes.
Just how many significant road closures do you expect to come across in a year? One, three, 10 or more? If you are getting into the low teens on the expectation scale, you really should get a map, preferably of the area you expect to be bimbling through.
If you are running a route, detour is probably your best friend... But take care it doesn't just re-route you into the diversion again, a mile down the road.
No route running? Don't know where you are? DO NOT PANIC! Your clever GPS knows exactly where you are, probably to within 15 meters. It will be your friend and guide....
Look at the screen. Zoom the map in and out... Look at where you are in relation to the roads it displays... Work out how to get from A to C and still miss out the blockage at B. Not sure how to? OK....
.... Pick on one of the roads you have chosen, safely away from the blockage. Touch it and ask the device to take you there. If it still tries to route you through the blockage either ignore it, hit detour or pick a different road and repeat. Still no good...
Throw GPS away, cry and take up Holy Orders, preferably in a convent.
Best advice?... Get to understand how your GPS works. Practice makes perfect. They really are very good now. But they are, like all of us, clever and very thick at the same time. Help it by helping yourself. You will probably not be too far from civilisation when you encounter the blocked road.... Someone or something will help you, I promise.
