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20th September 2007
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Stories are mounting up of trucks ending up on inappropriate roads after relying on sat-nay guidance — but is using this driver aid also a deadly distraction? Chris Tindall investigates.

The growing number of news articles about satellite-navigation systems directing trucks to unsuitable routes suggests an increasing reliance on in-cab technology not designed for LGVs. Now, concern is growing that using this technology could be a dangerous diversion itself.

A Swedish study recently found that a driver's ability to control a vehicle deteriorated significantly when 1n-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) were being used.

Most people agree that physically attending to any form of IVIS while at the wheel, whether tuning a radio,answering a phone or punching buttons into a sat-nay system, is unsafe. But the research indicated that even spoken commands affect a driver's concentration, leading to reduced speed control and increased risk of tailgating (see panel).

As dangerous as mobiles

Road-safety campaign group Brake says this proves that reading a sat-nay system while driving is potentially as dangerous as using a mobile phone. However, the organisation isn't against guidance systems as such.

Referring to a Department for Transport consultation on sat-nay technology.a spokeswoman says:"Brake called for a compulsory licence for companies producing in-vehicle routing systems such as sat-nay. Brake proposes the licence would be granted only to companies whose products meet certain safety criteria, such as not having a screen which can cause a distraction to drivers, and relying instead on oral instructions only." But not everyone agrees with these proposals.

Freight Transport Association policy director James Hookham counters: "I think that's a bit of overkill. I don't quite understand the logic of that.So you can't look at your speedometer, then? If you think you are going to be distracted, you should stop.! don't think the advancement of technology in goods vehicles should be halted just because drivers should engage their brains."

Reducing distractions

This view is supported by the Road Haulage Association and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), although kesman for the latter adds:-..Iust having spoken instructions might be a way of cing distractions. Different people are racted by different things. We would on satellite navigation to be made less acting." A popular view is that drivers Id use their common sense, treating av as they would a radio or CD player not allow themselves to be distracted. asp the red dist call dist sho satand

Th question of accuracy

Th debate over sat-nay safety has only just begun, but another issue raised many tim s in the press relates to their accuracy. And on this subject, everyone agrees: drivers are relying far too much on guidance systems. Hookham says: "We are getting fed up with stories in the press about trucks going down wrong and inappropriate roads, simply because drivers are following what their sat-nay is telling them."

The reasons for this include having too much faith in technology; laziness; unawareness that new data must be downloaded regularly; and, anecdotally, a proliferation of foreign drivers, clueless about UK roads and forced to rely on technology designed for cars. But that may be about to change.

Maps for trucks

Map specialists Ordnance Survey, Pie Enterprises and Navteq all say they are designing maps specifically for trucks which take into account weight, height and width restrictions, steep hills and sharp curves.

For now, though, questions remain about how safe it is to have complex and distracting communications systems in truck cabs. No one CV/spoke to, other than Brake, believes sat-nay is as dangerous as using a mobile phone, and few had heard of the Swedish research.

But as an Ordnance Survey spokesman points out: "Some years ago, people didn't realise how dangerous it was to use mobiles on the road. But that's becoming increasingly known."

Government consultation

Last autumn, the government began a consultation into legislation developed in 1989-1990 that required system providers to apply for a licence before marketing sat-nay devices.

This stated: "As the use of satellite navigation becomes more common, there is a need to ensure that the devices do not pose a safety risk through driver distraction.

"It is also necessary to ensure that their routing strategies do not encourage the use of 'rat runs', or give ill-advised or illegal instructions to the user."

A Department for Transport spokesman said that a summary of the consultation's findings is expected to be published by the end of the year.


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