Satellite navigation and the risk of accidents

My gripe is about car drivers who use satellite navigation systems and just dont pay attention to the road or other road user around them. They are an accident just waiting to happen.

Why is it that so many people have now got these large screens obscuring their full view of the road, and most of them are too busy looking at the map when they turn, they fail to indicate and check mirrors. They have absolutely no idea what is going on around them and all they see is their stupid map! They didnt see that the motorcyclist that they have just hit did they? Satellite navigation systems are a danger to other road users!

Case in point, businessman driver in his Audi A4. Doing 20mph in a 40 zone through the new forest. My friend is on his FZ600 following and when he sees that the way is clear to overtake (i.e. no stray ponies, pot holes or horse poop on the roads) he approaches and goes to the right. The Audi driver has decided that his satellite navigation system tells him to turn right in 20 yards to enter a campsite. So what does he do? He does just that and swings round without observing his blind spot. My friend needless to say goes straight over his bonnet.

Satellite navigation systems and bad driving.

In town this morning, I had a similar experience riding my bike into work; a lady driver swings on round without indicating. She hadn't even unfolded her mirrors on her BMW! I had to give a swerve and slight skid, causing me to drop my ZX6R, which by the way I have only had a couple of weeks. The damage? A cracked nose fairing and mirror, seat panel and screen All because of idiots in cars not looking where they are going and observing other road users.

Did the driver of the BMW stop? Of course she didnt! I have an issue with women car drivers anyway. As a lady driver myself, believe that women should choose between children OR a 4X4... But hey, that's another gripe!

Sites that may be of interest...

Been involved in a bike accident that wasn’t your fault? suffered personal injury? Find the right
UK accident claims management company by going to www.accidentsdirect.com. They are road accident specialists and cover under the no win no fee scheme.

Sat Nav. Not an aid to safe driving
Another interesting article on the subject of satellite navigation systems and safety on the roads.

Car Safety vs Bike Safety
A very interesting article on the subject of car versus bike safety. The general opinion is that bikes are dangerous, or at least more dangerous than cars. Not everyone thinks so.

Other Related Gripes

Speeding fine by text message
Dangerous motorcyclists risk lives
People have lost the ability to drive
We buy large vehicles for reasons of safety
We've got idiot drivers on the road these days
Dangerous things people do when driving
Front fog lights irritate other drivers
Learner drivers on busy roads during rush hour
Slow drivers are dangerous too
School run parents with their 4x4
Mobile phones and road traffic accidents

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Here we go, yet another accident resulting in a young child loosing her life, all because her parents blindly followed the sat nav instructions without watching the road signs. There should be some sort of training with these devices that tests your ability to read road conditions as well as follow automated directions. Very sad indeed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-england-12360687

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AOD - 4-Feb-11 11:30

I use a sat nav in my work and find it a very useful tool. I do however check the route on a map before I set off, as the sat nav can send me down some, erm, interesting routes. I place the sat nav over to the left of the windscreen as low down as possible. All too often you see them high up to the right where they block the driver's view. The bottom line is a sat nav is a tool that has to be used along with all your other senses. Focus on it and it becomes unsafe.

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dobbo996 - 1-Jun-09 17:04

My Sat Nav cost me big money. It sent me down a one-way street the wrong way. That street had CCTV or cameras: whatever, I was snapped followed by a huge fine in the post. It turned me into some kind of criminal. I bet the local councils are in league with the sat-nav companies to create such beasts as they generate a huge revenue. 10% kickback enough?

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The Arrow of Time - 1-Mar-09 08:27

I have to say, I'm a little disturbed at how these idiots who dont use their eyes (except to stare at the satnav or mobile phone) all seem to be driving BMWs, Audi's and other expensive cars.

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D Higgins - 1-Mar-09 07:21

What a lot of drivel written by someone who does not know the first thing about the subject they chose to write about.

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Satnavs1 - 21-Jul-08 17:46

Mike P you talk crap man. Just drivel with no point who cares how you use your sat nav. Get a life.

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Hoodie Boy - 20-Apr-08 22:11

Hi Nikki,
Its the 'used correctly' that is the problem, the no brainers popping down the road to get whatever, needing to be told left from right and when!

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Shy Vera - 9-Apr-08 15:59

I am one of those rare women who are actually quite good at reading maps ... and I have a very good sense of direction, both in a car and on my feet. Recently OH purchased a sat nav, I was dead against it because I thought it to be an utter waste of money when I am more than capable of reading an ordnance survey map. However, I have had to eat my words, they are absolutely brilliant, especially when I am driving myself and cannot therefore map read. As someone has said, it is not always possible or safe to park up and read your map. Used correctly, the sat nav, especially round towns, is absolutely brilliant. Frequently, they will divert you off motorways to avoid an accident that has happened up ahead, and save you hours of frustration. Used sensibly and correctly, they are a godsend ... even for Antichrist, with his sexist remarks !

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Nikki - 24-Mar-08 11:15

Like most things, SatNavs are a great device when used properly. With the volume of traffic and the state of many roads it can be both difficult and dangerous to find a safe stopping place to read a map, so if you are on your own or with someone who can't read a map (ie most women, sexist I know but a proven fact!) using a SatNav can be safer than stopping. I have even seen idiots with the map out trying to read a map whilst driving.

A Satnav used with care, and they all come with safety warning, some even have them on screen, can enhance safety for both the user and those around him. I only use mine when necessary and use it as decision support rather than relying on it totally.

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MikeP - 24-Mar-08 09:15

So you're on a bike and you overtake when there's a turning on the right? Suicidal or what? Ok the car driver is in the wrong, but as a bike rider personally I'd rather stay alive. Fully agree about SatNavs. QVC and Ideal world crazily demonstrate them in the MIDDLE of the windscreen!!

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Matthew - 24-Mar-08 01:15

To be honest lads n lasses I use a Sat Nav for my work when I get callouts to domestic properties & i'm unfamiliar with the area I find myself in.
However I do observe the road & not the Sat Nav screen. I only listen to the spoken instructions.
Some of the people you are on about are nutters anyway with or without Sat Nav-believe me I like most of the rest of you come across them every day-most of which are not insured!!!
Sadly our roads are full of idiots of all ages, race, sex etc & there aint a damn thing any of us can do about it I'm afraid!

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Andy Evans - 24-Dec-07 18:28

Hi, this is moving off topic is it not! I do agree with youthough Brian.
Satnavs are great as a tool but do they need a screen if you have the audio instructions? I think not. You cant look at the screen and the road.
No brainers become dependant on it because they dont have to think anymore.
To repeat, it is a tool not a dependancy.

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Shy Vera - 7-Dec-07 14:15

Quote:

" Why don't bikers should slow down and stop overtaking everything in sight, idiots!

MBRAI 19-Nov-2007 12:01"

There's nothing wrong with overtaking a car doing 20mph in a 40 zone whether you're a on a bike, in a car or anything else.

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Brian C - 30-Nov-07 02:52

Why don't bikers should slow down and stop overtaking everything in sight, idiots!

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MBRAI - 19-Nov-07 12:01

Satnavs may not be dangerous but they do encourage dangerous activities. Why, when you have a spoken list of instructions do they need to have a screen that encourages the driver to look at it. Often the satnav itslef is positioned anywhere but in the line of direct ahead vision! Even those fitted by the vehicle manufacturer!

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Shy Vera - 20-Sep-07 13:19

Sat-nav's are not dangerous, they are just a tool. It's the numptys who don't have any common sense (a very rare commidity!) who are dangerous. I use my TomTom700 when I'm going somewhere unfamiliar, and I find it gives me more time to observe the road & other drivers, as opposed to trying to read the 50 odd roadside signs per mile, in order to see the one for my destination.
I never trust my TomTom implicitly, it does after all try and tell me to do illegal turns, and send me down blocked-off roads, but at least I'm never lost 'cos I always know where I am.

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4x4's 4ever - 29-Aug-07 17:15

Sat navs are dangerous and for people who cant read.
I have been driving cars and articulated lorries for over twenty five years in the uk and on the continent and by just using maps.
Simple really. you stop in a services or lay by look at the map and off you go. If you are really stuck, stop and ask one of the locals, If you can be bothered to learn the the basics of the countries language that you are in that is.
I have seen drivers on the roads who totally rely on sat navs and have caused mayhem when they want to turn off a motorway WHEN they are still in the third lane.
some of the roads around winchester have signs up telling hgv drivers not to use the roads that the sat navs have sent them down as they are unsuitable for for hgvs.
these signs cost a lot of money that is coming out of the taxpayers pocket!
I once worked with a driver who set his sat nav to find his way to and from our depot. sad but very true.

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sambob - 12-Jun-07 17:18

Bought a TomTom Sat Nav from www.Foneplanet.com When it arrived it was not working. Had intro in French and would not progress from intro. Sent it back to Tom Tom as informed by Foneplanet. It arrived back just the same as it was. Foneplanet say I have to contact TomTom, but they never answer their phones. I paid £179.00 for a sat nave that could not even guide me out my own drive!!

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Oliber - 7-Jun-07 19:20

Having, last year got back in to biking after 27 years I quickly learnt that satnav users are more dangerous than those using their mobile phone whilst driving. Are some people that thick they need an excuse not to think? They need someones voice to tell them to turn left, right 2nd exit off the roundabout! If they do then why do the satnavs have screens? If they need screens why site a satnav in the centre console? So many questions identifying responsibilities to all parties, designers, users and regulations!
Like all gadgets they have their usefulness, the real problem is that the user cannot be bothered to think and prepare the next manouvre. Why? Because the satnav will tell them where and when to turn! If the user is so reliant on the instruction then please ditch the bloody screen so they can at least be looking where they want to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Shy Vera - 5-Jun-07 08:21

Sat-nav. For thickos who can't read maps. Usually women(who shouldn't be on the road). And Mr Addidas wearing White Van Man.

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Antichrist - 26-May-07 09:36

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