Sat nav's positive effect on driving safety

30 Jun 2008

TomTom has unveiled the results of a study conducted in the US and Europe, which prove the positive influence of satellite navigation devices on driving and traffic safety.

The results of the study indicate that the use of a satellite navigation device:

• Heightens awareness and reduces the driver's stress levels and workload
• Improves driver behaviour, and reduces travel time and the number of miles driven when driving through an unknown area to an unknown destination

In terms of better awareness, drivers across Europe and the US report feeling more in control and alert when using a navigation device. 74% feel more in control, 55% feel more alert and just 9% of the UK drivers disagreed with this statement.

Drivers in all countries stated feeling less stressed and more relaxed behind the wheel as an important reason for using a satellite navigation device. Among UK drivers 77% feel more relaxed and 74% less stressed. According to the majority of users, a navigation system helps keeping their attention to the road (59% in the UK). Just 13% disagreed with this statement. Similar positive results on the effect of navigation solutions on drivers' behaviour were uncovered by the survey: the majority of users (52%) in the UK feel they drive more safely with a navigation system, while just 7% disagree.

In terms of fuel and time saving the experiment proved that the use of a satellite navigation system reduced the number of miles driven and the time spent travelling when driving in an unknown area to an unknown destination.

Commissioned by TomTom, the research was conducted during March-May 2008 amongst a representative sample of drivers in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the US. Additionally, in-car studies of drivers were conducted in Germany and the US.