POLICE have issued safety advice for drivers after the Adver carried a story yesterday about a driver who flipped his car on the A419 while adjusting his sat nav.

New driver Sairam Kummari, of Havergate Way, Reading, had leaned forward to reset his satellite navigation when he lost control as he headed north on the dual carriageway in June last year.

After admitting driving without due care and attention the 33-year-old was given six penalty points, meaning his licence was revoked under the new driver provisions.

But after launching an appeal at Swindon Crown Court, the IT worker had the sentence reduced to five points, leaving him free to drive again.

Road saftey officers have advised drivers to be cautious. Among the tips are:

  • Sat navs should not be placed anywhere where they could obstruct a driver’s clear view of the road ahead.
  • If you need to alter your sat nav or switch it on/off, you should pull over when and where safe to do so and adjust it – do not attempt to do this whilst driving.
  • If your sat nav falls from its cradle while driving, pull over when and where safe to do so – not whilst driving.
  • Pay close attention to road signs and warnings on the road as well as sat navs – roads may be closed or there may be restrictions in place.
  • Sat navs and suction marks they leave should be cleared away when leaving your vehicle – both are an invitation to passing thieves.