Are drivers using their sat nav GPS system before using their common sense? Masterlease’s Clive Forsythe thinks that may be the case. Sat nav systems have become increasingly popular over the past few years.

But have we become too reliant on sat nav?

Whether it is trying to beat our time on a regular route in order to reduce the monotony of commuting.

Or slipping into the habit of programming every journey into the planner, no matter how well we know the route, sat nav is now a big part of our lives.

However, could sat nav actually be erasing our inherent navigational skills. And is it more dangerous than reading a map while driving?

Physically reading a map en-route is distracting – and not recommended. However, the audio options on sat nav can provide a driver with clear instructions without the need for map-reading. People are able to drive in a more relaxed way. They are safe in the knowledge that they are being guided through their journey, without constantly having to refer to a map.

Or are they? Many drivers are becoming so reliant on sat nav that they seem to be losing their inherent sense of direction. And possibly common sense.

Take the incident in 2007 where a Polish driver followed his sat nav into a lake.

Police stated that the driver had such faith in his sat nav that he neglected to note the road signs warnings: the road had been closed. A water company had flooded the valley to create a reservoir.

This extreme example highlights a trend for drivers to disregard all other external signals that contradict their sat navs.

For example, a Hampshire hamlet has erected signs telling drivers to ignore their sat nav. Faulty GPS programming directs lorries down a small single lane: and vehicles get stranded. This trend can only get worse. There’s a whole sat nav generation growing up. Arguably they won’t develop decent navigational skills.

There are legal considerations, too. Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is illegal. Yet many drivers may be unaware they are liable for prosecution if they edit settings on the move. This constitutes driving without due care and attention.

Business car managers have a duty of care to ensure their drivers are informed of the driving offence – and general safety in their cars.

Our advice is: programme sat navs before you set off; and stay alert to external signs that may contradict the sat nav directions provided.

There is no doubt that sat navs are useful and reliable most of the time. But drivers need to use their common sense when following sat nav directions. And take notice of road signs!