SatNav causes drivers to get distracted?

[Bob Crabtree]

In-car satellite navigation systems are causing motorists to be distracted while they're driving, according to a Reuters' report on a survey carried out by Croydon-based Privilege Insurance.

The new technology can be more distracting than trying to read a map at the wheel, the survey found, especially if drivers only start programming their routes AFTER they've set off - something that one in 10 of the near-2000 motorists surveyed admitted to doing.

Okay, we do fully believe that IQ tests only test how well you do such tests but the high level of stupidity shown by a huge number of people can seem less surprising when you realise that the average IQ is 100.

Read the HEXUS.headline, then let us know your thoughts on stupidity, SatNav and roadside hoardings showing scantily-clad females.

[Moby-Dick]

as they say , think how stupid the average person is , then remeber that 50% of people are more stupid than that

if I use satnav I tend to have it quite out of site and use the audio directions more.

[Lee H]

They should think about banning these concrete warrior 4x4 school-run drivers who have huge gas guzzling cars as these are a more menace on the road than people fiddling with Sat Nav really.

I try to stay away from these drivers even when crossing tesco carparks because they think they OWN the road and don't even give way to the right on roundabouts as well ( I've seen a few accidents due to this near my home)

Now if these folks have Sat Nav as well - oh god... we're all doomed

[TiG]

Sat Nav is no more distracting that kids behaving, or being talked to by another adult.

Anything taking the brain off the road ahead is more dangerous.

TiG

[ExceededGoku]

My dad's jag has satnav and he always sets up the root whilst we are driving and only has the woman speaking so that he is not distracted, he always turns off the screen when driving anyway except when he wants to change the radio station etc. So on that note its dangerous to have a radio . I think they are a brilliant addition to any car and benefit everyone except women who are already to distracted by other stuff e.g. texting, making calls, make-up, I could go on... (not meaning to be sexist, lol).

[Nox]

Those things are a pita, if i'm driving, i get the passenger, my wife, to set it up. or I will when shes driving. Otherwise, I won't use the sodding thing! There is no way anyone can concentrate on the road AND a computer at the same time. Worse than mobiles. That said, once its set up, and working as you want it to, its generally ok.

Nox

[just_laze]

Satnav is a complete waste of money, what happened to getting lost and exploring, some people just can't let go anymore. Plan your route using an old fashioned map, if it goes wrong, pull over have a quiet drink in a pub garden (non-alcoholic) or a nice local cafe` regroup and then head off again.

Getting lost is a forgotten pleasure.

[autopilot]

Could someone please explain - why reading a map at the wheel is worse?

[Mike Fishcake]

Satnav is a complete waste of money, what happened to getting lost and exploring, some people just can't let go anymore. Plan your route using an old fashioned map, if it goes wrong, pull over have a quiet drink in a pub garden (non-alcoholic) or a nice local cafe` regroup and then head off again.

Getting lost is a forgotten pleasure.

Yes grandad.

[iranu]

Sat Nav should be used to remove undisirables from the gene pool. If you can't spend 10 minutes looking at a map before you get in the car then you are not bright enough to operate something as dangerous as a car, let alone one that has sat nav that will distract you.

Us higher brained individuals use Zen navigation anyway

[piggeh]

Oh, where can I buy one of these Zen Nav systems?

I always look at a map before setting out and can normally get pretty damn close (backstreets, or thereabouts), before I feel the need to pull over and consult the map again. Although Sat Nav would be useful to avoid jams and cameras (although 0 points, I'm obviously paying attention well enough)..

Although the real reason I'm replying is because I wanted to say that Trapdoor rules and a like your avatar.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

how can it be a distraction? sat navs have voice output now so you dont ever have to take your eye off the road to see where to go

[Nox]

how can it be a distraction? sat navs have voice output now so you dont ever have to take your eye off the road to see where to go

the moment they send you down a road you think might be the wrong one, you have to question it, and tell it to re-calculate your route...

Nox