Research by car insurance firm SGIO has found that drivers are looking at their in-vehicle satellite navigation systems for dangerous lengths of time.

The research also revealed that the least safe positions for a portable GPS unit were in the centre of the windscreen under the rear view mirror or directly in front of the driver, as these locations could block the field of view.

SGIO's senior research manager Robert McDonald said that recently conducted tests exposed the real risks of glancing at a GPS continually while driving.

“Our road test results found that when drivers used the portable GPS unit over a 35km route they glanced at it around 90 times for 1.2 seconds on average,” he said.

“So when travelling at 60 km/h they were looking away from the road for up to 19 metres at a time – or more than four car lengths.”

According to the firm, the safest position for a portable GPS unit is in the right front lower corner of the windscreen.