Satellite Navigation Systems are not substitutes for common sense, motorists are being warned.

According to motoring organisation, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), drivers need to use the sat-navs sensibly and with “common sense”.

IAM issued the warning after statistics revealed that one in five sat-nav users have hesitated on a busy road.

A recent report from the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) revealed that over a half of motorists have become dependent upon in-car technology.

As the popularity of the navigation systems increase, van insurance customers are advised to ensure they take appropriate safety precautions on the road by using their common sense.

Spokesperson Vince Yearly of IAM said that a sat-nav is a fine replacement of a map and have become a practical part of vehicles around Britain.

He said: "People have still got to keep an eye for those fords and fields and low bridges. Sat-navs are good but do not use them as a substitute for common sense."

Previous research had found that the navigation systems were the cause of 30, 000 accidents due to drivers following illegal and unsafe directions.

Katie Shepard, spokesperson for the national road safety charity, Brake said: “Anyone buying a sat-nav must consider whether they can be safe on the road.”

Maggie Game of insurer Direct Line, said: "If a sat-nav gives you an instruction that is likely to endanger other road users, ignore it. Motorists must realise that while they are a helpful navigation tool, they should not follow their instructions to the detriment of road safety."

As the popularity of sat-navs in van drivers increase, van insurance customers are advised to be aware of road safety issues as premiums are likely to go higher in the case of an accident which could easily have been prevented with the use of common sense.