Generation LOST! Almost a third of Gen Z admit they need to use sat nav for every journey – as navigational skills plummet among youngsters
- READ MORE: Gen Z are scared of DRIVING, survey reveals
It's something many people do on a daily basis without thinking twice about it.
But a new survey has revealed how even the shortest drive will have Gen Z turning to Google Maps.
Experts from Carmoola surveyed 2,000 Brits about their preferences with sat nav systems while driving.
The results revealed a clear generational divide, with younger drivers significantly more likely to rely on navigation tools – even for familiar routes.
Almost a third (28 per cent) of drivers aged 25–34 said they always use sat nav as a 'non–negotiable' whenever they drive, while 20 per cent said they even use it for short trips to the supermarket.
The results will come as no surprise to many young drivers, who regularly take to social media to discuss their reliance on sat nav.
'I don't know my way around anywhere, it's the truth. Every single time I need to go somewhere, I've got to have my sat nav,' @cuzinsuzyofficial1 said on TikTok.
@daniellejohnstonex added: 'How did drivers cope without sat nav? Because I genuinely wouldn't make it out my area.'
Almost a third (28 per cent) of drivers aged 25–34 said they always use sat nav as a 'non–negotiable' whenever they drive, while 20 per cent said they even use it for short trips to the supermarket
The survey showed that older drivers are most confident driving without technology.
Among drivers over 45, around two in 10 said they use a sat nav for every journey, while 15 per cent said they rarely use one at all.
As part of the survey, Carmoola also asked respondents what they would do if their sat nav lost signal.
The results revealed that 57 per cent of drivers aged 55–64 said they would rely on road signs and landmarks.
In contrast, just 44 per cent of 25–34–year–olds said the same – while 25 per cent said they'd stop and ask for directions.
'What's clear is that drivers now expect things to just work – whether that's getting from A to B or getting behind the wheel in the first place,' said Aidan Rushby, founder and CEO of Carmoola.
'Navigation has become second nature because it removes friction, and we're seeing that same expectation carry across the whole driving experience.'
Young drivers often discuss their reliance on sat nav on social media.
Experts from Carmoola surveyed 2,000 Brits about their preferences with sat nav systems while driving (stock image)
@nicccbaby asked: 'Am I the only person who puts their sat nav on to drive five minutes down the road?
'Waze is literally be best friend.'
@chrissy.j.xx added: 'I have to research on maps a week before, look up pics on Google and use a sat–nav for a 20min journey.'
And @hauslz6 asked: 'How did people drive to new places with no gps...?
'Like how did you even start driving? I need gps to get to a destination I've drive to my whole life.'
While the findings might sound trivial, research has shown that using a sat nav actually 'switches off' parts of the brain.
Researchers at University College London studied how 24 volunteers navigated a computer simulation of Soho, central London while their brains were being scanned.
The two brain areas they were focusing on were the hippocampus, involved in memories, and the pre–frontal cortex.
While the findings might sound trivial, research has shown that using a sat nav 'switches off' the parts of the brain you normally use to navigate. This map of London shows how many other streets are connected to each street, with blue representing simple streets and red representing complex streets
Trying to find your way using your own brain, rather than a satnav, led to 'spikes' of activity in both areas when volunteers entered new streets, the study found.
It increased even further when faced with a twisty maze of streets.
By contrast, when the volunteers followed instructions where to go – a situation comparable to following a satnav or mobile phone app – the brain showed no additional activity.
Senior author Dr Hugo Spiers said: 'When we have technology telling us which way to go, these parts of the brain simply don't respond to the street network. In that sense our brain has switched off its interest in the streets around us.'
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