Research Study Shows that Sat Navs Improve Driver Safety

A recent study conducted by Dutch research agency, TNO, has confirmed what many have been arguing for years – that satellite navigation systems have a positive impact on driver behaviour and performance.

The 6 month project was commissioned in a collaborative effort by Delta Lloyd Verzekeringen, TomTom International BV, Aon Nederland and Athlon Car Lease, to elucidate the effect of navigation systems on various measures of driver competency.

Investigators examined the effects of sat nav usage on a number of safety factors and concluded that sat navs benefited drivers by:

• Reducing the number of insurance claims by 12% and claim costs 5%
• Increasing driver alertness, reducing stress, and improving driver reaction times by 12%.
• Improving driving behaviour and performance when driving in an unfamiliar area to an unfamiliar destination
• Reducing driver’s objective workload by 20% when driving in an unfamiliar area to an unfamiliar destination
• Reduction in the number of kilometres driven by 16% and journey time by 18% when driving in an unfamiliar area to an unfamiliar destination

The project is the first independent study of its kind and may pave the way for future benefits to sat nav owners, such as reduced insurance premiums.

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