A Sat Nav (satellite Navigation) is a sophisticated gadget to help drivers find their destination easily, but these days its becoming more of a dangerous device resulting in more than 300,00 Accidents in Britain alone.

These accidents are due to people completely following the Sat Nav instructions, to the detriment of their safety – which has resulted in the following:

• Drivers driving into rivers.
• Lorries sent down narrow roads and stuck on narrow country lanes.
• Driving down One-way streets.
• Drivers performing sudden manoeuvres or changing direction in the middle of the road.
• Ambulance crew being sent to addresses in foreign countries, under bridges that were too low, down farm tracks and dead ends – bearing in mind the people they are heading too are in life threatening situations.
• Also read, most recent Article (Oct 09) – Supermarket delivery driver followed his Sat Nav into Dense Woodland.

I wouldn’t completely blame it on Sat Nav’s though. For instance, if you look at the photo below, the driver should have noticed there was no road and it was quite dense – obviously, no sign of cars driving there.

Advice

Generally Sat Navs are a useful Tool and its handy to have one – over half of Britain’s population use it. About 14 Million drivers.

• However, if it gives you an instruction that is likely to endanger other road users, ignore it. You are the one driving, the Sat Nav can’t see the road. I mean, what do you tell the Police – “I’m sorry Officer, it was the Sat Nav”? If you think they will not charge you – Read this.

• Also, read Road signs – so you know not to drive down a One-Way road.
• Don’t programme the Sat Nav while driving, otherwise you might make a small error and end up in the wrong place. Also for safety reasons because your eyes should always be on the road.
• Finally, it’s always advisable to detach the Sat Nav and keep it where people can’t see it. I have also been informed that it’s a good idea to wipe the window (just the place where it was detached from) as thieves can still check to see the mark.

Lets finish up on a Positive note – So, now that we’ve got all the safety issues out of the way, what really are the Benefits other than guiding you to your destination?

• If there is a traffic incident – Sat Nav will re-route your journey.
• Sat Nav will alert you in advance of any speed cameras on your route which will avoid you getting a speeding fine or points on your Driving Licence.
• Blue tooth – gives you the ability to use your Sat Nav as a handsfree set for your mobile.
• It also points out places of interest such as petrol stations, restaurants and parking areas, which are particularly useful if you are using the car to go on holiday.

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Drive Safely!