I think that they are mainly so if you call for help for some reason, AAA or whatever. You can tell them where you are. The main problem with that is that when you call the motor clubs and tell them you are west bound on I-10 at mile marker 123.4 they don't seem to have the slightest idea where that is. They always insist on the nearest town even tho you don't have any idea where the nearest town is.
Maybe the emergency service people can use the MM.
BK