Motorists are being encouraged to carefully consider sat nav diversion routes after new research highlighted the safety risks associated with rural roads, which continue to account for a disproportionate number of road fatalities across Britain.

Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has raised concerns that increasing numbers of drivers are being directed by sat nav away from congested motorways and major A-roads onto rural routes that are often less suitable for high traffic volumes.

According to a recent survey commissioned by the organisation, more than half of drivers reported being diverted onto rural roads due to congestion on the strategic road network. While these alternative routes may appear to offer time savings, road safety experts warn they can expose motorists to a range of additional hazards.

Department for Transport figures show that rural roads accounted for 60 per cent of road deaths in Britain during 2024, despite carrying only 45 per cent of overall traffic volumes. The statistics continue to highlight the increased risks associated with lower-category roads, particularly those with limited visibility, narrow carriageways and mixed vehicle use.

Many rural routes were not designed to accommodate significant traffic volumes and can quickly become congested when large numbers of drivers are directed away from major roads by navigation systems. In some locations, local roads experience substantial increases in traffic during motorway closures, incidents or periods of heavy congestion.

Highways and road safety professionals have long highlighted the challenges associated with diversion traffic being transferred onto rural networks. Unlike motorways and trunk roads, many country roads feature sharp bends, restricted sightlines, agricultural vehicles, limited overtaking opportunities and narrow sections that can create difficulties for unfamiliar drivers.

The issue also raises wider questions about network resilience and capacity. As traffic demand continues to grow, there are concerns that congestion on major routes can increasingly place pressure on local road networks that were never intended to function as alternative strategic routes.

The warning comes amid ongoing debate around the future capacity of England’s strategic road network following the cancellation of planned smart motorway schemes in 2023. Some industry observers argue that without improvements to network capacity and traffic management, diversion traffic could become an increasingly common challenge for rural communities and local highway authorities.

While drivers are not being advised to ignore sat nav instructions entirely, road safety experts are encouraging motorists to assess whether potential time savings outweigh the risks of using unfamiliar rural routes.

Drivers using satellite navigation systems are also reminded of the legal requirements surrounding their use. UK law prohibits motorists from holding or operating devices capable of sending or receiving data while driving. Sat nav devices may be used hands-free, provided they do not obstruct the driver’s view and do not distract from safe vehicle control.

Failure to comply can result in penalty points, fines and, in serious cases, prosecution.

As navigation technology continues to influence route choice, the findings serve as a reminder that the fastest route suggested by a sat nav may not always be the safest or most appropriate option, particularly when it involves diverting onto roads with higher inherent safety risks.