Texas Deputies Share Simple Tips to Keep Drivers From Getting Lost

Traveling can be a fun experience in Texas and beyond, but it can also be a scary experience. You never know when your GPS will glitch and take you on a dirt road in the dark. You can get turned around, and that can be scary, especially if you have less than a quarter of a tank and you are just praying you make it to the last town.

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Recently, there have been many instances where people have gotten lost while traveling.  The most recent being the Lightfoot tragedy, where an older couple was leaving their family's Thanksgiving dinner in Panhandle to return to Lubbock.  The couple somehow got turned around and ended up in New Mexico. They both passed away and were found in Quay County a few days later.

The couple didn't have their cell phone with them and didn't have a GPS.

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Why More Texas Travelers Are Getting Lost

People can easily get lost while traveling when the GPS stops working or when they lose cell phone service and cannot make calls. Low visibility from the weather can cause someone to stray from their path, and rural roads can be confusing.

It was a tragedy, and the Potter County Sheriff's Office was feeling the loss, especially after several recent incidents where people had strayed off their route. They took to social media to share some tips on how to identify emergency services where you are when you get lost while traveling, especially when you are on a path you don't recognize.

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What Deputies Want Drivers to Look For

• Look for mile markers when traveling, especially on Texas highways.
• Many mile markers are no longer on standalone posts but are placed on the same poles as highway signs, which can make them harder to see.
• Watch for the yellow stick below highway signs, which often identifies the mile marker.
• Mile markers are usually posted two miles apart, one facing each direction.
• 911 dispatch centers can often pinpoint mile markers on emergency calls, but this feature may not work on non-emergency lines, so it is important to know your location.
• If you are unfamiliar with an area, stay alert because you may travel for a while before reaching another sign.
• If mile markers are difficult to see, rely on distinctive landmarks like road signs, FM roads, barns, businesses, or billboards to identify your location.
• Pay attention to your surroundings so you can describe your location accurately if needed.
• When traveling long distances, take time to stop, stretch, and reset to stay alert.
• Travel carefully during the holiday season and prioritize arriving safely.

When traveling, you also need to make sure you have certain items in your vehicle that you can use in case you get lost or are trapped.

Stay alert when you’re traveling so you can make it to your destination and home again.