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If you’re driving with GPS tracking devices: be careful! Keep your eyes on the road, and remain mindful of your surroundings at all times. While GPS tracking devices can increase your safety tremendously by ensuring that you don’t get lost as easily, if you rely too much on your GPS device, you could be increasing your risk.

That’s what a Sussex County, New Jersey woman learned recently.

In a truly tragic turn of events, Ana Philback caused a crash on New Jersey Route 23 in Franklin, New Jersey. The accident caused the other driver to be seriously injured. In court in March 2011, Philback admitted that she caused the accident by turning her focus of attention “on [her] GPS.”

The accident, which occurred at night on Nov. 3, 2009, also caused minor injuries to Philback herself. In addition, NJ.com reports that Philback may be deported, as she was not a legal immigrant at the time of the accident.

Philback’s attorney is attempting to lessen her sentence to a probationary term on her driver’s license as well as a 90 day suspension of her license. She will be sentenced in May 2011 for her guilty plea of fourth-degree assault.

What do you think? Do GPS devices make you a safer driver? When does GPS tracking stop being helpful, and start being distracting?

Let us know in the comments!

Article Written by Greg Minton