SATNAV DISASTERS IN EAST HERTS (WIDFORD TO PERRY GREEN).

While out walking the dog yesterday morning, I noted two incidents in Nether Street, both caused by the use of misleading information provided by satnav. In the first I encountered a bemused couple in a private saloon car, seeking to reach an address in Perry Green. They had stopped on the unmade (and very uneven) single track between the the end of the metalled section of Nether Street and the junction at the hamlet of Southend with the tarmac covered road leading towards St. Elizabeth's, Perry Green. I directed them as they requested. Later, on my return journey home, I met a lady, driving a medium-sized white van (c.30 cwt / 2 tons; she was looking for St. Elizabeth's Home for Epileptics and other handicapped people. Unsurprisingly she had relied on information provided by satnav, so I warned her that she was about to traverse a rough and uneven single track, and suggested to her an alternative and more reliable route.
Shortly after that I met a neighbour, who lives in Nether Street, who told me of two or three other recent incidents, resulting from drivers in difficulties, as a result of using satnav systems equipped with unreliable guidance about this route. Repeated representations have been made to the manufacturers and vendors of satnav equipment and information, but without achieving any noticeable improvement in
deterring unwary drivers, particularly of heavy commercial vehicles. The local authorities know of the problem, but seem powerless to prevent it. Central government authorities claim that the issues raised by the use of satnavs are beinc considered, "so that means no action," commented my neighbour.
Clearly more pressure is needed to goad the authorities into taking action, and
therefore a goodly crop of complaints published on the internet would help in providing the necessary impact.

Michael B. Buck.