Sat-nav summit to tackle unsuitable routes
Outdated sat-nav directions could become a thing of the past as the Government today announced its first ever ‘sat-nav summit’.
Cameraphone shots of trapped lorries and stranded cars are a regular sight online but Local Transport Minister Norman Baker – who announced the summit pencilled in for early March – believes it is vital that highway authorities, mapping providers and satnav manufacturers work together so that everything possible is done to make sure the right vehicles are on the appropriate roads.
Currently, the process of sat-nav providers updating maps supplied by local councils can take months and Mr Baker believes this can be sped up to avoid embarrassing and potentially dangerous incidents of motorists – for want of a better phrase – getting stuck.
“Out of date directions mean misdirected traffic – a scourge of local communities,” said Baker.
“[Accurate, up-to-date information on traffic restrictions] will help prevent huge lorries from being sent down inappropriate roads and ensure motorists are given the best possible directions.
“The summit is timely because from April we are allowing local authorities to reclassify roads – ensuring A roads are placed where they want traffic to run and lowering the category of road in places they want traffic to avoid – rather than having to come to Whitehall for approval.
“These powers will help councils make sure that drivers are using suitable routes.”
Top priority
News of March’s summit follows last week’s announcement that local authorities will be able to erect signs indicating that a route is unsuitable for lorries without Government approval from 30 January [link].
The move will aim to grant councils more flexibility in handling the suitability of their roads.
Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, seemed relieved that the Government was still committed to physical signposting.
“While we welcome the ‘sat-nav summit’, high quality and consistent signposting will always be the best way to ensure that drivers get the information they require when and where they need it most,” commented Neil.
“Local authorities and Government must ensure adequate funding for traditional signposting remains a top priority even in the digital age.
“And drivers themselves need to take some responsibility, with recent figures showing that two-thirds of drivers are confused by basic road signs. Swot up on The Highway Code, plan your route and make sure you always have a good map in the car too.”
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1 Comment
I think Sat Navs should be banded just like mobile phones in cars. these sat navs are more of a danger than phones. The drivers who use them spend more time looking at the screens or listening to them that keeping their eyes and ears to the road.. This must come under the driving with undue care and attention act. Why do we need them its a small country you can’t get lost and we have good sign posts…what did these people do before Sat Navs ! stay at home and not venture out.. Ban them ,just let the army use them. Ban they now.. again I feel they worse than mobile phones.
when on the road , you can see people checking them whilst driving also they suddenly do a U turn as they device has told them to,, these drivers do this without looking around them first… so I think the government should ban these ASAP
Kind Regards
Gary
gary mason
March 6, 2012, 7:33 am.
