SatNav Racing

[MrT]

From today's Telegraph and it is not April Fools day:


To a surprising number, however, it is also proving a potentially dangerous challenge as they try to beat the estimated times the devices display with every route, a survey has found.


Millions of motorists are apparently racing against their satnavs and many are engaging in manoeuvres including overtaking on blind bends, tailgating, flashing their lights or gesticulating at other drivers to do so.


Until now, most complaints about the technology, which uses the Global Positioning System (GPS), have centred on heavy lorries being sent down narrow country lanes and drivers directed along roads that no longer exist.


But the devices give a minimum time to reach a given destination assuming the motorist travels at the maximum permitted speed along the suggested route. Beating the time, therefore, invariably means breaking the law.


Yet 7.2 million of Britain’s 37 million drivers engage in the practice, the survey by Sainsbury’s car insurance suggests, although only half would admit to breaking the speed limit. The results suggest nearly 150,000 drivers have been involved in a collision while “GPS racing” in the last year.
_________________
Drivelux

[Guivre46]

Just posted this link in the 'News' section. I cannot believe anything so foolish has involved so many people [allegedly]. Suggest manufcturers consider a device which switches off for 30 minutes, if the speed limit is consistently broken.
_________________
Mike R [aka Wyvern46]
Go 530T - unsupported
Go550 Live [not renewed]
Kia In-dash Tomtom

[mostdom]

Continue this thread in the News forum here

Now locked
_________________
Dom

HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot

We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?.
Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!