Multitasking whilst driving is not only extremely difficult, but highly dangerous. So, imagine having to drive to an unknown location with just a paper map. Daunting, isn’t it? That’s why we’re so thankful for sat-navs! As of next year, the driving test will be changing to include the use of satellite navigation (sat-navs).They are extremely useful for any driver who is trying to get from A to B. Cars are being made with the system built in and even smartphones offer an efficient GPS service. However, it’s important that we take precaution and use them wisely. So here are our top tips to using a sat-nav safely…

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The placement of your sat-nav

The highway code states that nothing should be obscuring your view of the road, so when positioning your sat-nav, make sure it’s not blocking your view of the road ahead. Also, make sure it’s not so out of sight that you must divert your eyeline too far if you need to look at it.

Check your route

It is important to input your destination and check your route before you set off. Remember, there’s lots of places in the country that are under the same name so be sure to double check! Also, adjusting your sat-nav whilst driving is a huge distraction and could lead to an accident so make sure everything is in order before starting the car up.

Listen, don’t look

Any situation when you’re distracted and not looking at the road is a dangerous one – consistently glancing at your sat-nav is no exception. To avoid this, make sure the volume is turned all the way up so you can concentrate on the road ahead of you whilst listening to the directions.

Stay alert

It’s easy to rely on technology nowadays, but when you’re following directions from a sat-nav you must remember that they don’t always get it right. We’ve all heard of those stories where drivers have followed the strict instructions of the sat-nav and ended up in a river or even in a different country. So, keep your wits about you and use your common sense! If your sat-nav tells you to go up a one-way street the wrong way, don’t do it.

Refresh your device

Roads and layouts change every day, so you need to update your sat-nav so it can acknowledge these changes. This is so you can avoid getting lost or driving into a dead end!

Stash it away

Leaving your sat-nav in your car can often act as bait for thieves to break in. Sat-navs can range from £35 - £600, so leaving it in plain sight is asking for trouble. Always be sure to store it in your glove compartment or take it with you into your house.

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A sat-nav can make driving to somewhere new an easy and stress-free experience, but it’s extremely important to use it to assist you rather than relying on it. Remember to stay focused on the road and enjoy the experience. From December 2017, using a satellite navigation system will become a mandatory part of the UK driving test; if you need some extra practice before then, InsureLearnerDriver’s policies can help you. Click here to find out more about LearnerDriverInsurance. Click here to read about the upcoming changes to the UK Driving Test.