A summit on the problems satellite navigation systems can cause drivers and communities is to be held by the Government.

Local transport minister Norman Baker wants to investigate the misery caused by lorries and cars receiving out-of-date directions.

The electronic mapping devices have been blamed for a spate of incidents where large vehicles have been instructed to use a flawed route.

In 2009 driver Robert Jones was found guilty of driving without due care and attention when he followed the route planned by his satellite navigation system - even though it led to his car to the edge of a cliff.

The same year, an Asda delivery man got his vehicle stuck when he obeyed his sat nav and drove into dense woodland.

ASDA van stuck down country footpath

This Asda delivery van was led astray by a satnav in Lancashire

Residents in rural communities have also complained cars are often led down narrow roads or encouraged to drive through sleepy villages in pursuit of a short-cut.

Mr Baker wants highway authorities, map providers and gadget manufacturers to cooperate more. He also hopes to speed up the amount of time it can take for map changes to filter down the devices.

"Out-of-date directions mean misdirected traffic - a scourge of local communities," the Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes said.

"It is vital highway authorities, mapping companies and sat nav manufacturers work more closely together to provide drivers with accurate, up-to-date information on traffic restrictions such as narrow roads or low bridges.

"This will help prevent huge lorries from being sent down inappropriate roads and ensure motorists are given the best possible directions," he added.

Millions of drivers now rely on electronic mapping in place of traditional paper versions, with many mobile phones also now featuring map technology.
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http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16143722

lol, common sense out the window ...

Sat nav on! Brain off! lol

About time that all the governments set a standard for communications between the relevant parties. Not much can be done about people who won't update out of date systems because of cost but hopefully this will help everyone else.