SATNAV MISUSE THREAT TO LOCAL COUNTRY LANES

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th May 2008

After being contacted by anxious local residents, Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner Sandy Walkington has highlighted the threat posed by SatNav systems guiding over-large lorries down local roads

After being contacted by anxious local residents, Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner Sandy Walkington has highlighted the threat posed by SatNav systems guiding over-large lorries down local roads and lanes ignoring all the weight limits or simple driver judgment.

"I get similar stories from all over the area," Sandy said. "Where there are low bridges crossing a road, chaos often ensued as giant trailer vehicles try to reverse and turn round. Station Road in Smallford is particularly badly affected because it is a cut-through from Hatfield Road to the A414. The fact it is sign-posted with a three tonne weight limit is simply ignored by HGV drivers, many of them foreign who are simply relying on their SatNav for directions."

Local Smallford resident Martin Falk - a retired professional driver himself - saw a 60 foot long Dutch articulated lorry trying to cross the narrow hump-backed bridge across the Alban Way at Smallford. He had words with the driver who just ignored him and carried on. Mr Falk is worried about the safety of the bridge but also about collision risks as other drivers meet unexpected obstacles. "On other occasions I have seen them turn round, and they have to reverse in and out of side roads. It is very dangerous. There is no excuse for them coming down Station Road. The three tonne limit is clearly sign-posted. It is just bad and selfish driving," Mr Falk says.

Sandy pointed out that in this case Mr Falk was able to note the offending vehicle's number plate and report it to the police. "I hope they will take action the next time the offending vehicle enters the country. But we also need mobile cameras to catch out these offenders and make an example of them.

"I also hope that local businesses who take deliveries from these vehicles make sure that drivers know which local roads they should use. Finally there is a huge responsibility on the manufacturers of Sat Nav systems to make sure that local weight and width restrictions are clearly signalled before drivers attempt to use wholly inadequate roads."

ENDS

For more information please call Sandy Walkington on 07802 177317 or Martin Falk on 01727 823463