A large number of novice motorists have put their lives and car insurance for young people at risk by racing against their satnav clocks, according to the AA.
The breakdown recovery specialists revealed that almost 75% of drivers aged between 18 and 24 make use of satnavs, and, worryingly, more than 50% said that they had attempted to beat the journey times predicted by the devices.
Apparently student car insurance holders are not alone in their attempts to complete road trips ahead of schedule. A surprisingly high proportion of motorists aged 25-34 had also challenged the times set by the gadgets.
The President of the AA said, "Human versus machine is evidently a challenge most younger drivers cannot resist, although common sense tells them that getting a clear run is so unlikely on today's UK roads that they build spare time into their journeys.
"For some drivers, 'beat the satnav' has become a potentially deadly game. 'Beat the Clock' should stay in the realms of the game show rather than the highway."
Motorists in Scotland have reportedly shown a willingness to heed this advice. Their reluctance to race against the clock may be down to the impact of road safety campaigns north of the border.
In related news, the UK's drivers were recently reminded of the importance of obtaining comprehensive young driver insurance, which includes cover against the loss or theft of satnavs.