I would wait until middle school, but it's a great idea no matter what age you start!

 

Yes, middle school is probably better.

 

My comment.

 

Exactly

 

And folks should carry maps.

 

I still have a New England map in the door pocket. It's fine for gross directions, at least I can see how far away I am from where I should be, but until the GPS chick stops talking to me, I rely on her for the fiddly stuff.

 

I haven't seen a road map at a gas station in 20 years Ross.

Probably back by the 8 track tapes LOL

 

And the CB radio antennas...

 

In grammar school...

Mensch! You're old! I don't think they call it that nowadays.

I think everyone should be taught how to read and use a road map.

Agreed. I think everyone should also be taught basic first aid.

GPS is great, but I see many people getting in trouble using it, especially on back roads off the beaten path.

Google maps will always present the quickest route first which is usually, but not always, the shortest route. That's why you see so many folks struggling on back roads or in situations like this:

 

<<snip>>
That's why you see so many folks struggling on back roads or in situations like this:

I guess the first hit didn't do enough damage so a second one was required just to be sure!

 

I still carry a Rand mcnally Atlas under the backseat of my truck and a topographical book map of my state for every county in the state. I guess I am old school. 60 years ago when my dad took us on family vacations every summer when his plant shut down in July, I was the navigator. And I darn well better tell him right or I got a verbal thrashing.

 

Sounds great in theory, but current and accurate analog maps are probably more rare than finding folks that can interpret them. There is no profit to be had in printing up-to-date maps. It is much faster, easier, and less expensive to update GPS software.

I grew up driving, diving, patrolling, etc. on paper maps, but I certainly appreciate the advantages of accurate digital imagery.

Those folks that are getting into trouble in the backroads with their GPSs...it is likely map reading is only one link in the chain of mistakes that got them into trouble.
There is some great research published out there about technology and the navigation atrophy in our society. I know I see it every other week when I teach land navigation.

 

I love maps, or charts as they are called in marine use. I used to be able to navigate wether in the middle of Washington D.C. or the middle of the ocean. But the fact is I rely more and more on the GPS now, as I can't see the regular maps well enough to use them easily. They are just too small! I tried enlarging them by photocopying, but places that could do this (Office Depot, Office Max) refuse to do so based on copyright. So, I look them over at home with a large magnifying glass, and make sure the car has plenty of gas.

Luisyamaha

 

Kinda like saying people should learn how to use an encyclopedia or an abacus.

 

New thought -- I'll bet folks who know maps have a feel for directions. For example, if I say "turn west onto Avenue XYZ" they probably got that. The non-map user would say "is that on the left? Or on the right?" to which I would have to follow up with "well, where are you coming from?".

 

I can't find batteries for my abacus anymore! LOL!

Luisyamaha

 

I can't find batteries for my abacus anymore! LOL!

Of course not - all modern abacuses (abaci?) use solar cells. Everyone know this.

 

It is much faster, easier, and less expensive to update GPS software.

See, that's the thing. If you're using Google Maps (as an example) you are getting not only an up-to-date map but also info on road conditions, detours, etc. She once even told me there was an "object on road" and sure 'nuff there was a six foot step ladder right in the middle of the lane which I was able to dodge because I was watching for it.

But the fact is I rely more and more on the GPS now, as I can't see the regular maps well enough to use them easily. They are just too small!

My beef with GPS devices is that if I zoom in on the screen I lose the context of the big picture.

Kinda like saying people should learn how to use an encyclopedia or an abacus.

I suppose.... but then I still have my slide rule. Kids who learn to use an abacus can probably make change in their head instead of waiting for the machine to tell them how much to hand over. And I have a sneaky suspicion that a lot of younger kids get short changed without realizing it. Then again, they're probably paying with plastic anyway so it doesn't matter.

 

Kids who learn to use an abacus can probably make change in their head instead of waiting for the machine to tell them how much to hand over. And I have a sneaky suspicion that a lot of younger kids get short changed without realizing it. Then again, they're probably paying with plastic anyway so it doesn't matter.

That ship has sailed. The next generation would be better served learning a hands-and-brain trade, something that AI and technology can't do. It's going to take a lot of plumbing and HVAC to keep all of this technology running.

 

Never got or used a GPS. Still have a AAA branch here, and they still have maps and do Trip Ticks the last time I checked.

 

I have a few maps in my truck. They’re there because it was my dad’s truck until he died. I leave them in case I need them. Honestly, with the gps on these smartphones it’s just so much easier than fooling with a map.

 

But what do you do when all the gps satellite come crashing down to earth from being old.

 

The sky isn’t falling yet. When it does I’ll try to shelter under something sturdy.

 

I drove my son to the range one day, where we had been many times before. It entailed making a total of 6 turns from our house. He later said he had no idea how I remembered how to get there without using Apple Maps. One of these days I have to have a loooong talk with that boy.

 

I always enjoyed my Motor Carrier Atlas when I was in the business. In addition to maps and map reading they should also be teaching money and change counting. And many many other things they taught in the 60's and 70's but don't now.

 

A lot of delivery trucks seem to get lost on the rural roads in our area while relying on Google maps, etc. Or else they are directed to take more direct pigtrail roads instead of roads that the delivery truck can easily travel. Took my grand daughter riding into a backwoods area where my mom grew up in a logging town many years ago and met a very bewildered looking Fedex driver. A few years ago, I tried using GPS to direct me home from a nearby town - just for fun - and it kept trying to direct me off through some back roads to another town south of where I live. There are still some bugs in the GPS map systems, but on good roads, I still use them.

 

I live at the end of the road, literally. My neighbor lives at the end of a different road. Both GPS and the county map show these roads as being connected, which they lack by about 100 yards. I get lots of people at my house who are lost.

I prefer road maps (from Walmart) for planning trips but GPS for navigating within cities.

 

When I got started driving trucks in 1975, Randy McNally was my best friend. I would make notes in the margins, like truck stops or scale locations. I also collected a bunch of city maps. I primarily stayed East of I-35. Rarely did I go to the west coast.
Did not care for the Motor Carrier Atlas (MCA) cause it was laminated and hard to make notes.
Whew, I just checked amazon. It's selling for $98.00 now.

 

I used to live by Hagstrom maps in the 80's. I dont miss them a bit. Driving and looking at a map is not safe. Maps are not up to date anymore. I have a compass in the car, on my phone and my watch. If you dont know where you are, a map is not going too help. Nice to think about the past , but I'll use Waze to get somewhere and I'll buy butter in the store instead of churning it.
Psst. if you are lost and need to call for help, use a telephone pole. They have the town and location on them.

Wow, AAA trip ticks, I remember them.

 

I used to live by Hagstrom maps in the 80's.

In my part of the world, I used Key Map in Houston and Mapsco in Dallas up to maybe 2010. I'd use the street index to find the page and grid number that showed my destination. Then I'd typically write notes on a legal pad with a list of street names and turns so I wouldn't have to try and see those 1" x 1.25" map grids while on the way.

 

I've been quizzing my kids since their elementary days.
"Which way is north" or "Everybody point towards home" and the list goes on.
They all have maps, county and state, in their glove compartments.
Township hall has them for free. btw wth is grammer school?

 

My daughters love to read, especially the older one. We used to joke we'd only have to drive her 3 blocks from home and put her out and she'd be totally lost as she always was reading and never watching where to go.

 

Did not care for the Motor Carrier Atlas (MCA) cause it was laminated and hard to make notes.
Whew, I just checked amazon. It's selling for $98.00 now.

What folks like about them today is the lamination! They hold up better. I bought the "adventure edition" for $28.

I have a compass in the car, on my phone and my watch. If you dont know where you are, a map is not going too help.

A compass isn't any good if you don't know which direction you want to go.... which you can deduce from the map.

If you know how to use a map, the map will let you figure out where you are.

 

My Mom, in all her infinite wisdom, once stated (in a serious tone) that all roads should run North and South so that you never have the Sun in your eyes. My Dad responded "it's a good thing you're pretty!"

 

Google has taken me on some seriously long, circuitous routs on country roads (what I mostly travel); AND, for years Google had my house located about 6 miles West of its actual location. I hate Google.

 

Technology is a wonderful tool, until it isn't. GPS is useless in parts of SWVA and southern WV. Pulled up to an intersection in SWVA and glanced the GPS to see which way to turn. It's just looking back at me. Car hadn't moved on the map for several miles. I guessed and when I finally reached another ridge top, it found me and confirmed I was still on the right road.