GPS System Distraction: Analyzing Risks and Proposing Solutions

This report examines the problem of distracted driving caused by the use of GPS systems on smartphones. It highlights how the functionalities of smartphones, particularly GPS navigation, contribute to accidents. The research addresses three key questions: how to solve the problem of accidents related to smartphone GPS use, alternative methods for drivers to check navigation without looking at their phones, and ways GPS companies can enhance their devices to fit drivers' needs. The report utilizes qualitative research to develop an explanatory theory, offering solutions such as increased awareness, mobile phone lock apps, certifications for mobility services, improved control by road authorities, involvement of tech companies, and theoretical-practical tests in driving schools. The report emphasizes the need for drivers to be aware of the risks and proposes various methods, including mobile phone blockers and smartphone holders, to mitigate distractions and improve road safety. It also references numerous studies and research papers to support its findings and recommendations, focusing on the importance of driver safety and the reduction of accidents.

Running head: GPS SYSTEM 1
GPS System When Driving
Name:
Institution:
Date:

GPS SYSTEM 2
Problem statement
Smartphones are considered to be part of our daily lives. Besides being used for the normal
calling, texting among many other uses, smartphones offer other functionalities such as
providing a GPS system such as Google maps which can be a source of distraction to the
driver. While there is some legislation that has been passed to discourage the use of mobile
phones while driving in many countries, this has not been effective because of the privacy
that cars offer especially those that have been tinted (Prat, Planes, Gras, & Sullman, 2015)..
The problem, however, is not having a smart phone in the hands of the user, it is distracted
driving that is the cause of all the accidents. The functionalities that the smart phones provide
especially social media is the cause of the accidents. The GPS system of a Smartphone helps
in navigation and is deployed by the driver to locate a certain destination (Zhou &
Curry,2015).The challenge is how to ensure that a driver uses the GPS functionality in the
smartphone to allow the driver to use the GPS on their smartphone without causing
distraction on the part of the motorist (Zhou & Curry,2015).
The three research questions are;
 Q1: Recently, there have been a lot of car accidents related to using Smart phones
while driving. One reason is that they were looking for GPS system in their phones.
How would this problem be solved?
 Q2: There is no rule of forbidding drivers from using the GPS in their smart phones
while they are driving. Provide an alternative method for the drivers to help them
check the navigation system without looking to their phones?
 Q3: GPS screen size might be unsuitable for most drivers. How would the GPS
companies enhance their devices to fit the drivers need?

GPS SYSTEM 3
The research will use qualitative research to answer the three questions.
The objective of the research
To develop an explanatory theory on how GPS functionality on smart phones is a distraction
and how this can be improved to reduce accidents caused by motorists. To provide alternative
methods that drivers can use other than using GPS functionality on smartphones. To analyse
on ways in which smart phone companies can enhance their devices to fit the drivers needs.
Many mobile devices, especially Smartphone's, are creating more and more threats for
Australian motorists over time (Li & Zhang,2014).. The Safety Association for motorists
conducted a study of some 350 scientific articles to measure driver distraction during vehicle
piloting. The result can be a bit shocking(Prat, Planes, Gras, & Sullman,2015). Many
different things distract drivers from finding their way, which causes them to be distracted
half the time. Surprised? While you can distract attention to food, drinking (alcohol, of
course), talking to your passengers, makeup, music and other things, the worst distraction
known at this time are cell phones and smartphones. Even when using GPS in the cellphones
to locate a destination can be a distraction to motorists. Some of the solutions that can reduce
the number of accidents on the roads are; the use of mobile phones, incrustation of cell phone
lockers in cars (Llerena,et.al 2015). Such proposals have already been discussed in some
countries. And some countries have already passed laws that force car owners to build a cell
phone blocker in their car. This is not an easy question because it refers to the freedom of the
people and to the behavior deeply established in automobiles.
The distraction of cell phones is more dangerous than other activities of distraction. Trying to
get direction on cell phones by using GPS will generate a lot of attention and if a driver

GPS SYSTEM 4
needs to make a decision quickly on the road, it would be much more difficult. And as
statistics provide an overview of such situations often arise. And from this point of view, the
proposals of embedding of signal blockers in the cars sound quite reasonable, including the
jammer for each car is legal, and proper use can be very effective.
And the range of activity of frequency inhibitor is limited to half a meter around a car. The
device can be configured to do only the things you need. It is possible to configure the device
for the prohibition only an SMS or email or even all functions of the phone (Song,
et.al,2017). However, emergency 911 calls are always activated. Jammer mobile phones work
very comfortably. You do not have to suppress all the signals from your phone, but they work
when the engine is running or when the vehicle is not parked (Lee, et.al2015).. Therefore,
you can still use your phone while calling at the park or in a traffic accident to get help. The
device can also set only the things it will do. It is possible to configure the device for the
prohibition only an SMS or email or even all functions of the phone. However, emergency
911 calls are always activated (Lansdown & Walker,2015).. Therefore, the cell phone will
not prevent you from seeking help in dangerous situations. Therefore, if you want a less
disturbing driving experience and are not tempted to answer the call when using GPS, you
can install a portable cellular blocker in your car (Sullman& Tasci, 2015). Feel safety and
convenience during your trip. It is your health and your life at stake, and the health and lives
of your family and loved ones. So take some steps to keep them safe.
To avoid any distraction when driving a phone jammer can be used, this stops from being
constantly interrupted by ringtones when using your smartphone GPS. A cell phone jammer
is a sure way to ensure that the use of GPS while driving is not interrupted. One cannot
receive calls and also those within a vicinity of 60-80 feet radius from where a cell phone
jammer is (Lee, et.al2015).

GPS SYSTEM 5
The laws provide that motorists are not supposed to fiddle around with a smartphone or any
other device when trying to find a direction, instead, they are supposed to pull over and check
on the direction before embarking on the journey (Munoz & Sánchez,2017)..
Not having a GPS navigator does not mean much less that you have to make a blind
motorcycle route. In fact, many motorists use their own smartphone to plan the trip, be
guided by the roads or take advantage of interesting mobile applications that make them the
safest route or solve the search for gas stations, hotels, places of entertainment, etc(Song,
et.al,2017)...
A smartphone holder for a smartphone is a solution specially designed for motorists.
Therefore, the fixing system goes to the steering nut and not to the handlebar that is usually
the most common (Llerena,et.al,2015). This offers the driver a good visibility of his mobile
phone at eye level without having to make strange movements with his head that can
destabilize him or her(Munoz & Sánchez,2017)... Another interesting point is that it rotates
360 degrees so you can place your phone in horizontal mode by default and when you want
to see well the plot of the next curve turn it to vertical mode (He, et.a,2015). A smartphone
holder can also be important to mount the smartphone that also allows another possibility of
placement on the screen. The immediate effect is that you will have more space on the
handlebar to place other types of accessories, such as adapters, chargers or connectors with
which to always carry the battery and other accessories(Lansdown & Walker,2015)...
Solutions
The key is that the drivers themselves are aware of the real risk that exists to suffer or cause
an accident when using the mobile while driving but other solutions can also be launched
such as:

GPS SYSTEM 6
Increase awareness and promote the use of mobile phone lock apps while driving
(Thompson,& Wundersitz, 2016).
Require certifications to approve applications related to mobility service (eg: ISO seal) as
safe and compatible with driving (Chen & Tsai,2017).
Improve the control of distractions by road authorities. Graduate the sanctions depending on
the situation of distraction. Involve large Internet companies (Google, Facebook, Apple) and
operators ( Orange, Vodafone, etc.) in the improvement of mobile applications on GPS for
safer integration in driving(Thompson,& Wundersitz, 2016). Lastly, Introduce a theoretical-
practical test on the driving school's agenda to demonstrate how distractions affect the risk of
an accident.

GPS SYSTEM 7
References
Chen, B. H., Huang, S. C., & Tsai, W. H. (2017). Eliminating Driving Distractions: Human-
Computer Interaction with Built-in Applications. IEEE Vehicular Technology
Magazine, 12(1), 20-29.
He, J., Choi, W., McCarley, J. S., Chaparro, B. S., & Wang, C. (2015). Texting while driving
using Google Glass™: Promising but not distraction-free. Accident Analysis &
Prevention, 81, 218-229.
Lansdown, T. C., Stephens, A. N., & Walker, G. H. (2015). Multiple driver distractions: A
systemic transport problem. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 74, 360-367.
Lee, P., Cucuras, M., Chun, R. E., Pusateri, G. C., & Jay, W. M. (2015). GPS Usage in
Bioptic and Non-Bioptic Low Vision Drivers. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual
Science, 56(7), 502-502.
Llerena, L. E., Aronow, K. V., Macleod, J., Bard, M., Salzman, S., Greene, W., ... &
Schupper, A. (2015). An evidence-based review: distracted driver. Journal of trauma
and acute care surgery, 78(1), 147-152.
Li, B., Zhu, K., Zhang, W., Wu, A., & Zhang, X. (2014). A comparative study of two
wayfinding aids for simulated driving tasks–single-scale and dual-scale GPS
aids. Behaviour & Information Technology, 33(4), 361-371.
Munoz-Organero, M., Ruiz-Blaquez, R., & Sánchez-Fernández, L. (2017). Automatic
detection of traffic lights, street crossings and urban roundabouts combining outlier
detection and deep learning classification techniques based on GPS traces while
driving. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems.

GPS SYSTEM 8
Prat, F., Planes, M., Gras, M. E., & Sullman, M. J. M. (2015). An observational study of
driving distractions on urban roads in Spain. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 74, 8-
16.
Sullman, M. J., Prat, F., & Tasci, D. K. (2015). A roadside study of observable driver
distractions. Traffic injury prevention, 16(6), 552-557.
Song, T., Capurso, N., Cheng, X., Yu, J., Chen, B., & Zhao, W. (2017). Enhancing GPS with
lane-level navigation to facilitate highway driving. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular
Technology, 66(6), 4579-4591.
Thompson, J. P., Baldock, M. R., Mathias, J. L., & Wundersitz, L. N. (2016). A comparison
of reported driving self-regulation by older adults and GPS-based measurements of
their actual driving exposure. Road & Transport Research: A Journal of Australian
and New Zealand Research and Practice, 25(3), 16.
Zhou, X., & Curry, W. (2015). U.S. Patent No. 8,971,927. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.