Using Sat Nav systems can help older drivers continue to drive for longer, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Digital Health.
The study, conducted by a team from the University of East, UK, found that over-65s with a poorer sense of direction can drive for longer with the help of GPS navigation systems such as Sat Nav or smartphone maps. The study also shows that drivers using GPS tend to drive more frequently, suggesting that the technology helps older people stay more independent.
“Driving is usually the preferred mode of transport among older adults, and it can be vital for maintaining independence, quality of life, wellbeing, and cognitive health as we age. But age-related cognitive decline means that people might experience worsening spatial abilities, leading them to drive less and less,” said Prof Michael Hornberger from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. “Because we have an ageing population, it’s really important to understand the factors that keep older people on the road, driving safely for longer.”
“We know that using a Sat Nav system can alleviate the cognitive demands of navigation when driving, particularly when visiting less familiar destinations. And this technology has become increasingly popular among older drivers,” added Dr Sol Morrissey from UEA’s School of Health Sciences. “We wanted to better understand how using GPS navigation systems helps older people on the roads.”
The researchers surveyed 895 UK drivers over 65, asking questions about their driving habits, including how often and far they drive, their subjective sense of direction, and how they use GPS navigation devices. Participants also completed online cognitive tests assessing their memory and spatial abilities. The team then analysed the relationship between how people use GPS with their driving mobility and cognitive performance.
“We found that a considerable majority of older drivers use navigation assistance at least for some journeys, and commonly for the entire journey to a new destination,” said Prof Hornberger. “Older people with a poorer sense of direction rely more on Sat Navs. But the really important thing we found is that those who use GPS tend to drive more frequently than those who do not, suggesting that these tools help mitigate against spatial orientation difficulties and help maintain driving mobility.”
“This means that if we support older drivers with using GPS navigation, it could really help maintain their driving independence – keeping them on the roads safely for longer,” he concluded.
Morrissey S, Jeffs S, Gillings R, Khondoker M, Varshney A, Fisher-Morris M, Manley E, Hornberger M. GPS navigation assistance is associated with driving mobility in older drivers. PLOS Digit Health. 2025 Apr 3;4(4):e0000768. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000768.