Sat nav risking drivers safety

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Sat nav causing drivers to make dangerous and illegal manoeuvres - 30th July 2008

Sat nav is blamed for 300,000 road accidents claims a recent survey of 2,000 motorists carried out by Direct Line.

It estimates that satellite navigation systems have caused around 1.5 million motorists to manoeuvre suddenly dangerously or illegally whilst in busy road conditions, putting the driver and those around them at risk of injury or worse if it results in a road accident.

Safety charity Brake’s Katie Shephard said: "We have some very serious concerns about sat navs which give on-screen instructions or pictures for the driver to follow.

"This is because there is a danger that the driver will concentrate on looking at the sat nav rather than the road.

"I’d urge anyone considering buying a sat nav to consider if they can use it and still be safe on the road."

The survey also revealed that more than a quarter of sat nav users had been instructed to go through no-entry sign or where their vehicle was prohibited.

Around 2% of drivers claimed it was responsible for causing or almost causing them to be involved in a road accident.

A student was involved in a car accident when her sat nav directed her into the path of a speeding train at a level crossing in Ffynnongain, she was lucky to escape injury as the train smashed into her vehicle.

Head of motor insurance for Direct Line Maggie Game, said: "Motorists need to realise that while sat navs are a helpful navigation tool, drivers should not follow their instructions to the detriment of road safety.

"If a sat nav system gives you an instruction which is likely to endanger other road users, you should ignore it.

"Sat navs are designed to make driving easier and safer. However, they will only do this if you take the time to learn how to properly use a system and understand the benefits of the technology."