SATELLITE navigation systems sometimes get bad publicity, but it doesn’t seem to stop more and more drivers relying on them.

Apparently a quarter of Scots, presumably including many from Inverclyde, admit they can’t do without their sat nav, even for journeys they make often.

This is despite reports of motorists and lorry drivers being sent up dirt tracks and directed into dead ends because sat navs have prompted them to go the wrong way or haven’t been updated to take account of changes in roads.

I couldn’t be bothered using one myself. Downloading directions off an internet route map planner usually does the business, although road signs can often be confusing.

The sat nav research was carried out by a company specialising in GPS (global positioning system) technology. This can also be used in dashboard cameras, which are also becoming all the rage and, like sat navs, have yet to appear in your correspondent’s motor.

Dash cam supporters say they can record valuable footage in the event of a crash, as the evidence could be used in court.

Perhaps these should be fitted as standard to persuade all drivers to take more care.

Politics even managed to infiltrate this survey, for people said sat nav voices that would drive them around the bend included Prime Minister David Cameron, First Minister Alex Salmond and Labour leader Ed Miliband.

So is this yet another issue that could influence the independence referendum?