If you were to have an emergency that required police, medical, fire services or help from friends or loved ones, would you know where you are right now? Would you be able to guide them to your precise location quickly and efficiently? How long have you been driving on the rural road you're on without looking at the last mile marker? These are all questions that will come up if you find yourself having an emergency and not being able to guide those on the way to help you to your location. It's a very helpless feeling that can be easily prevented. Sure, dispatch centers across America do have the ability to ping your phone to see where you are, but leaving everything up to your phone is hardly a great way to get through a situation like this.
Why is My Location Important?
Obviously guiding help directly to you during an emergency is a pretty good reason to always know your location, but why else might it be so important to know where you are at all times?
Let's say you're in a new city or place attending a weekend event and have never driven in that area before. It's likely that your spatial awareness of things like gas stations, hospitals, public safety service locations, etc. is limited. If you aren't watching for street signs, obvious landmarks, highway numbers, and mile markers, there is a good chance that you will have a very hard time explaining where you are when you need to the most. To prevent this, simply develop the habit of knowing your location at all times!
Sure, you may know your location when you're stationary and have had some time to figure it out, but it's a pretty safe assumption that most people don't know every city street, intersection, or neighborhood street in their area. What if you have to report your location while you're moving? Do you know the area well enough to rattle off street names or will you be trying to look at each sign at each intersection. Again, just making it a habit to notice street signs and landmarks makes it much more habitual and easier to do when the time comes to report your location while driving.
2. What Can I Do to Help Me Be More Aware of My Location?
That's the spirit! Yes, there are a couple things you can do to help you be more aware of your location:
It may seem a little old school, but get yourself a physical paper map of the area you live in or the new area you'll be traveling to. Keep it in your vehicle or in your luggage just in case!
When you cross an intersection in town, say the name of the intersection's streets out loud! Practice saying it in the same way you would report your location to someone; for example:
I am ON West College Ave AT Bluemound Drive.
I am ON I-41 Northbound AT mile marker 86.
When you head to a new area for the first time, make a short list of the things you may need while you're there and include the street/intersection closest to them. Here are a few things that you may want on that list:
Hospital/Urgent Care Clinic
Gas Stations
Grocery Stores
Tow Truck Company
General Purpose Stores like Wal-Mart, Meijer, etc.
Your Location is Important!
Remember folks, it's very difficult to guide help to your location if you don't know your location. Having a good sense of direction and basic awareness of what is around you is very important! Get a map, make your list of useful locations when traveling, and always know how to verbally report your location if need be!
Have a great day!
