What do people do when their unfailing sense of direction fails and they find themselves hopelessly lost?

According to a survey, as many Taiwan motorists would try to reorient themselves using Global Positioning System (GPS) navigators as those who would seek directions from passersby.

In a press release issued by Pollster Marketing Technology yesterday, 37 percent of the more than 5,000 respondents to an online survey said they would consult their GPS navigators if they got lost.

This compared with 36 percent who would ask someone for directions.

Consulting maps (24 percent) was the third most popular alternative among those surveyed. A small percentage (2 percent) answered that they would drive around till they figure out where they are, while an even smaller group (1 percent) said they would try to find a policeman to seek directions.

Pollsters attributed the popularity of GPS to the increasing reliance on technology products among people of Taiwan. Though maps are more accurate, many prefer the convenience of GPS and have lost the ability to use a map.

The fact that few people ask directions from policemen is that, in accordance with the old saying, "there's never a cop around when you need one."

"When I was lost, it usually happened on holiday trips," said Mr Yang, an engineer living in Taipei. "You don't see many policemen in the countryside. It's much easier to ask for directions from another motorist or the locals."

Not surprisingly, women seem more willing to seek help from people (40 percent), compared to women using GPS (34 percent).

Married men are the group showing the greatest preference for GPS navigators (41 percent). That's probably because they're the ones who can afford the high technology products, said Pollsters.

The survey was conducted among Pollster members through its website (www.pollster.com.tw). A total of 5,246 motorists aged between 15-65 responded to the survey, according to the company.

China Daily

(HK Edition 08/14/2009 page2)