I think anywhere in the rural areas it can get you lost. But so can even the local road atlases… have one of Eastern CT that has a road listed as a semi main rd, through …… but it dead ends three times along that route! So why is it on the current road atlas as a through road!?
For Ellie, if she doesn’t usually drive the freeway, once you get in a metro area the exit signs, routes on & off signs, and traffic going from lane to lane can make things very difficult. Driving into SeaTac was always an adventure for me….
Women are (statistically) safer drivers, but that doesn’t mean they get lost any less than men. It is smart to prepare if you’re going to drive an unfamiliar or difficult route. This will be much easier for her when Michael and Elizabeth are old enough to read maps!
I tried using a GPS to get around in Temecula once. It took me on several dirt roads and I gave it up when it wanted me to go up someone’s driveway to get to the other side of their property.
Actually, you got it very wrong - She’s writing in 1980 or whenever the strip was published to an audience that knew exactly what she was talking about - trying to find Pearson Airport from any direction amongst Toronto and it’s environs’ deeply confusing free-way system - I can’t remember how many times I got lost that way myself. One always take the wrong exit, and the run up to the on ramp for the airport is badly marked and confusing, I’ve ended up in the wrong lane at least three time..
Sorry to burst your bubble there - I do remember when that strip first came out, and we all pretty much nodded in assent. It is a real witch (spelled with a b) to find your way there. Come to think of it, last time I was in Toronto it wasn’t any better either.
dkram said, about 4 hours ago
“GPS.
Actualy GPS is good for city driving, but, the GPS will get you lost up here in VT. The GPS is programed with old roads that arn’t there any more.”
They aren’t very good in small towns either. I live inside the city limits in an Ohio town and the GPS has our house out in the middle of a golf course.
1) The more you spend for the unit does not mean the software - or the database - is better than a cheap one. Get the software and the database updated at least once a year. I paid about $40 for mine; the biggest error was the inversion of even/odd addresses in some cities. Software update eliminated the error.
2) In the era of freeway building, it was not uncommon for streets to get cut that originally went through. Also, as some locales budgets started feeling the crunch, certain infrastructures were neglected to the point of failure - such as bridges. Secondary roads were especially hard-hit in some cities, where there might have been several bridges over the same stream, each a block from the next.
3) Same with railroad crossings - although Operation Lifesaver also played a part in the elimination of many railroad grade crossings; not by building a bridge or overpass, but simply cutting the street. Crossing eliminated; no hazard to autos, and no expensive automatic crossing guard to maintain.
If you don’t go somewhere frequently on freeways, you are unsure of all the details and don’t have a lot of opportunity to make corrections. Especially when most of the people who ARE familiar with the route have no sympathy for someone who is obviously struggling. I used to drive to work on I-26 in Columbia SC, and any time I noticed a car with out-of-state plates, I backed off so that they could move to the right and pick up I-20E or I-26E. Usually correct in the assumption. Nobody does that in Atlanta; if you miss an exit, you might be able to get off at the next one, and it MIGHT get you back on I-85 going the other way, and you MIGHT be able to get off at the exit you really wanted, but not always.
There are multiple roads in Arlington County VA which “deadend” more than once. Some road names are just strings of 1 or 2 block cul-de-sacs which run all the way across the county.
Ellie is smart to plan ahead. Driving unfamiliar roads in rush hour with young children in the car would challenge any driver.
It’s amazing how this strip (written many years ago), is still relevant. Even with GPS today, you have to have a little extra time for those challenging road repairs, closures, detours, and rush-hour moments. And it works (comically) with both genders. Because it’s happened to all of us.
Yet if you look beyond the funny part of the panel, it showed how wise Ellie is.
masnadies said, about 7 wrong turns ago: “Women are (statistically) safer drivers, but that doesn’t mean they get lost any less than men…”
Indeed, part of the reason women are safer is that they tend to leave more time for wrong turns and getting un-lost, so they’re not rushing. At least that’s how it used to be, back in the days of the nuclear family/stay-at-hom-mom society (when this strip was drawn). Nowadays, women work, chauffeur kids, run errands, and are just as likely to be behind schedule and racing to catch up as men. And their advantage in safety is quickly disappearing…
Hubby and I took a ROAD shown on the Atlas that cut off a lot of distance from where we were and where we wanted to go. It took us through a Massachusetts State Forrest on what had become really a snow mobile trail. Ravine on one side and mountain on the other. No turning around possible, dense trees, finally stumbled on the end. That was the day we both started drinking martinis.
wetidlerjr over 13 years ago
Better than some unknown South Pacific island !
Dkram over 13 years ago
GPS.
Actualy GPS is good for city driving, but, the GPS will get you lost up here in VT. The GPS is programed with old roads that arn’t there any more.
“Warning Will Robinson, Warning”
\\//_
Allison Nunn Premium Member over 13 years ago
I think anywhere in the rural areas it can get you lost. But so can even the local road atlases… have one of Eastern CT that has a road listed as a semi main rd, through …… but it dead ends three times along that route! So why is it on the current road atlas as a through road!? For Ellie, if she doesn’t usually drive the freeway, once you get in a metro area the exit signs, routes on & off signs, and traffic going from lane to lane can make things very difficult. Driving into SeaTac was always an adventure for me….
lightenup Premium Member over 13 years ago
Aw, don’t admit that to your kid. Show him how competent you are (or fake it).
gaebie over 13 years ago
This is Toronto, and a 6pm arrival means she is in rush hour. Extra hours will be necessary, seriously.
Then again, Ellie will get lost anyway (But I didn’t say that, Ellie did).
masnadies over 13 years ago
Women are (statistically) safer drivers, but that doesn’t mean they get lost any less than men. It is smart to prepare if you’re going to drive an unfamiliar or difficult route. This will be much easier for her when Michael and Elizabeth are old enough to read maps!
JanLC over 13 years ago
I tried using a GPS to get around in Temecula once. It took me on several dirt roads and I gave it up when it wanted me to go up someone’s driveway to get to the other side of their property.
Allan CB Premium Member over 13 years ago
Don’t forget folks - this is the 1980’s BEFORE GPS was made available for ‘the general public.’
wilorg over 13 years ago
@howtheduck
Actually, you got it very wrong - She’s writing in 1980 or whenever the strip was published to an audience that knew exactly what she was talking about - trying to find Pearson Airport from any direction amongst Toronto and it’s environs’ deeply confusing free-way system - I can’t remember how many times I got lost that way myself. One always take the wrong exit, and the run up to the on ramp for the airport is badly marked and confusing, I’ve ended up in the wrong lane at least three time..
Sorry to burst your bubble there - I do remember when that strip first came out, and we all pretty much nodded in assent. It is a real witch (spelled with a b) to find your way there. Come to think of it, last time I was in Toronto it wasn’t any better either.
annamargaret1866 over 13 years ago
Hey, I want to know too, how a road can dead end 3 times! :-)
I know it’s Monday morning.
Redhead55 over 13 years ago
dkram said, about 4 hours ago “GPS. Actualy GPS is good for city driving, but, the GPS will get you lost up here in VT. The GPS is programed with old roads that arn’t there any more.”
They aren’t very good in small towns either. I live inside the city limits in an Ohio town and the GPS has our house out in the middle of a golf course.
jutrased over 13 years ago
This is a road with three dead ends
_ _ _ _
All the sections have the same name. Makes a real challenge for EMS vehicles!
RadioTom over 13 years ago
1) The more you spend for the unit does not mean the software - or the database - is better than a cheap one. Get the software and the database updated at least once a year. I paid about $40 for mine; the biggest error was the inversion of even/odd addresses in some cities. Software update eliminated the error.
2) In the era of freeway building, it was not uncommon for streets to get cut that originally went through. Also, as some locales budgets started feeling the crunch, certain infrastructures were neglected to the point of failure - such as bridges. Secondary roads were especially hard-hit in some cities, where there might have been several bridges over the same stream, each a block from the next.
3) Same with railroad crossings - although Operation Lifesaver also played a part in the elimination of many railroad grade crossings; not by building a bridge or overpass, but simply cutting the street. Crossing eliminated; no hazard to autos, and no expensive automatic crossing guard to maintain.
gofinsc over 13 years ago
If you don’t go somewhere frequently on freeways, you are unsure of all the details and don’t have a lot of opportunity to make corrections. Especially when most of the people who ARE familiar with the route have no sympathy for someone who is obviously struggling. I used to drive to work on I-26 in Columbia SC, and any time I noticed a car with out-of-state plates, I backed off so that they could move to the right and pick up I-20E or I-26E. Usually correct in the assumption. Nobody does that in Atlanta; if you miss an exit, you might be able to get off at the next one, and it MIGHT get you back on I-85 going the other way, and you MIGHT be able to get off at the exit you really wanted, but not always.
ellisaana Premium Member over 13 years ago
There are multiple roads in Arlington County VA which “deadend” more than once. Some road names are just strings of 1 or 2 block cul-de-sacs which run all the way across the county.
Ellie is smart to plan ahead. Driving unfamiliar roads in rush hour with young children in the car would challenge any driver.
jkoskov over 13 years ago
It’s amazing how this strip (written many years ago), is still relevant. Even with GPS today, you have to have a little extra time for those challenging road repairs, closures, detours, and rush-hour moments. And it works (comically) with both genders. Because it’s happened to all of us.
Yet if you look beyond the funny part of the panel, it showed how wise Ellie is.
puddleglum1066 over 13 years ago
masnadies said, about 7 wrong turns ago: “Women are (statistically) safer drivers, but that doesn’t mean they get lost any less than men…”
Indeed, part of the reason women are safer is that they tend to leave more time for wrong turns and getting un-lost, so they’re not rushing. At least that’s how it used to be, back in the days of the nuclear family/stay-at-hom-mom society (when this strip was drawn). Nowadays, women work, chauffeur kids, run errands, and are just as likely to be behind schedule and racing to catch up as men. And their advantage in safety is quickly disappearing…
Mythreesons over 13 years ago
Hubby and I took a ROAD shown on the Atlas that cut off a lot of distance from where we were and where we wanted to go. It took us through a Massachusetts State Forrest on what had become really a snow mobile trail. Ravine on one side and mountain on the other. No turning around possible, dense trees, finally stumbled on the end. That was the day we both started drinking martinis.