Can YOU read a map? A third of people can't - and half won't admit it (with men being the worst offenders)

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Can YOU read a map? A third of people can't - and half won't admit it (with men being the worst offenders)

Posted by sciencetech-blog on Friday, July 25, 2014 Label:

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Nowadays we're all guilty of relying a bit too much on the satnav to find our way around.

But our dependence has become such that now more than a third us no longer know how to navigate using a traditional map.

And despite more of us getting lost, around 40 per cent of people refuse to openly admit to it for fear of embarrassment.

Over a third people no longer know how to navigate using a traditional map. And despite more people getting lost, around 40 per cent of people refuse to openly admit it for fear of embarrassment

According to GPS technology firm, Garmin, one in 10 people admit that they are heavily reliant on a satnav, even using it for journeys they make often.

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Almost a third refuse to seek help, despite being lost, with over a quarter more men compared to women who admit to being too proud to ask for directions.

This could partly be due to the fact that almost half of people say that they never update their satnav software at all.

Almost a third refuse to seek help, despite being lost, with over a quarter more men compared to women who admit to being too proud to ask for directions. This could partly be due to the fact that almost half of people say that they never update their satnav software at all

IN 400 YARDS, TURN INTO THE SEA

In April, four women had to be rescued when their car turned off a coastal road and plunged into the sea – after the driver followed directions from a satnav.

The holidaymakers, from London, were attempting to find a seaside village pub in Angle, near Pembroke, west Wales, in the dark when the device instructed them to turn right.

They travelled past a sign saying 'No Through Road', before their hire car suddenly fell into the sea.

Coastguards found the women still in the hire car and helped them back onto dry land. A spokesman said: 'The women followed the instructions of their sat nav and took a wrong turning.'

Arguing over directions continues to be one the biggest driving bugbears with a third of people revealing that they regularly find themselves in these arguments with their partner.

It's telling then that 27 per cent more men are likely to lie and secretly consult their satnav without telling their partner in order to impress with their navigational skills and reduce any arguments.

Research also uncovers a serious safety concern with drivers being increasingly distracted with their appearance whilst at the wheel.

When it comes to using a satnav, the voice seems to be a key concern for drivers. One in 10 people said that their mother's voice would drive them crazy, closely followed by their partner's.

The most well-known voice that would drive most people around the bend is Russell Brand, followed by Jonathan Ross, Ed Miliband, Alex Salmond, Jeremy Clarkson and David Cameron.

Benedict Cumberbatch with his polished accent, is the voice most people would like to hear on their satnav, followed by Carol Vorderman.

Benedict Cumberbatch (left) with his polished accent, is the voice most people would like to hear on their satnav, followed by Carol Vorderman (right)

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