UK drivers urged to ignore sat nav diversion on rural roads

The warning comes from road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, after its recent survey indicated that 54% of drivers have been diverted onto rural routes because of congestion on motorways, dual carriageways and other major A roads.

Rural roads accounted for 60% of road deaths in Britain in 2024, despite carrying just 45% of all traffic, according to Department for Transport figures.

UK drivers urged to ignore sat nav diversions onto rural roads

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Every year, more people are killed on a rural road than any other road type, yet worryingly we’re seeing a high number of people taking unplanned diversions to use them.

“Congestion is inevitable, but we would encourage people to question if a diversion onto an unclassified or single-track route is worth saving a few minutes, considering the increased hazards they might face.

“Often, other people following sat navs will similarly divert and you end up with traffic volumes that exceed what the road is designed for.”

Mr Lyes also warned that without increasing capacity on the wider strategic network, more drivers could be pushed onto unsuitable routes with “potentially grave consequences.”

All future smart motorway projects were cancelled in April 2023 because of safety concerns.

All lane-running smart motorways were rolled out from 2014, which boosts capacity by converting the hard shoulder into a live lane.

Rural roads often feature hazards such as tractors, narrow lanes and restricted views from roadside foliage.

The survey involved 1,042 UK motorists and 114 IAM RoadSmart motorbike riders, and was carried out in February by research firm Online95.

When is it illegal to use a sat nav when driving?

Similar to a phone, it is illegal to hold a sat nav or any similar device that can send or receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle, the Government website explains.

You can use a device held in your hand if:

• you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency, and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop
• you’re safely parked
• you’re making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example, at a drive-through restaurant
• you’re using the device to park your vehicle remotely

You can use devices with hands-free access, such as a built-in sat nav, too.

It is important to note that the device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.

The website adds: “You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times.

“The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted.”

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You can get six penalty points and a £200 fine if you hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send and receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle.

If you have passed your driving test in the last two years, you will also lose your licence.

As well as this, three penalty points can be given if you do not have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle.

You can also be taken to court, where you can be banned from driving or get a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus).

Do you use a sat nav when driving? Let us know in the comments.