Satnavs (satellite navigation systems) whether built into your car or on your phone, can make finding your way much easier. No more unfolding a giant map that obscures half of your windscreen as you do it. No more realizing that your road atlas only covers half your journey.
It sounds great. You have the whole world at your fingertips, and what’s more, you don’t even need to look at a map which is a big plus if you are navigationally challenged. Instead, you can just drive along, eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and follow the instructions that the system reads to you in the voice of your choosing.
The problem is that is not how most people use their satnavs
People often enter destination data as they are driving. They constantly glance at the arrow moving along the digital map. Or they touch the screen to bring up alternative routes when traffic gets heavy.
Every second you spend interacting physically with the device is a second you are not paying attention to the road. Safe driving requires you to keep both eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel.
A recent study found that programming a satnav takes 40 seconds
Forty seconds is a long time to take your attention from the road. Traveling at 60 mph, you will cover over 1,100 yards in that time. That’s over 11 football fields. If someone told you to drive with your eyes closed for that distance, you’d refuse, yet anyone programming their satnav is doing similar.
If a driver injures you because their attention was elsewhere, seek legal help to claim compensation for your injuries and losses.
