Early bath via satnav
An Austrian woman, who set her satnav to direct her to the nearest bathing lake, ended up taking her vehicle for a dip too.
The embarassed 27 year-old woman told rescuers that she had set her satellite navigation system to guide her to a popular bathing lake. However, after choosing a short cut, the navigation system directed her - not just to the lake, but into it!
The driver, Petra Lang from Saltzburg, set directions for Lake Grundlsee in the Saltzkammergut region of Austria to join other swimmers taking advantage of high summer temperatures. Unfortunately, she apparently became so dependent on the navigation system that she forgot to look at the road as her white van headed straight for the lake.
Although the van was a write-off, Ms Lang escaped unhurt before the vehicle disappeared under the water. A crane was quickly brought to the site and the van recovered before it could pollute the lake water.
The incident comes as scientists are warning motorists and pedestrians about the affects of using satnav systems on brain function. According to recent research, increasing dependence on electronic navigation is reducing function of the memory and spacial awareness areas of the brain.
