Millions of motorists are being driven round the bend - by outdated sat navs, a study has revealed.
Around eight million drivers own digital dashboard maps - but six out of ten of those are unaware they have to regularly update their device.
The oversight means they are being directed along routes which are no longer the quickest or shortest route and even been sent onto dead-end roads.
The study of 2,000 motorists by sat nav app developer skobbler also found a large percentage of drivers have 'lost their rag' with their sat nav after becoming lost on an important journey.
Yesterday spokesman Marcus Thielking said: ''Motorists need to update their sat nav devices for them to work efficiently.
''Road layouts can change, new roads can be built, one-way systems can be introduced all of which won't be automatically updated to your sat nav device - hence why it's a good idea to update it regularly.
''Our findings revealed that one in five drivers say that map updates are too expensive, which might explain why 51 per cent have never updated them. But interestingly 11 per cent didn't know they had to.
''Thankfully, some modern smartphone navigation apps now come with free automatic map updates for life, taking the onus away from the driver having to buy expensive map updates.''
The study quizzed Brits aged 17-45 on their relationship with their satellite navigation system.
It found one in five frequently become angry with their sat nav while the average motorist will travel 1,292 miles in the wrong direction during their life thanks to their sat nav.
Unclear directions, annoying voice-overs and out of date maps regularly test drivers' patience, it emerged.
Nearly half (47 per cent) said they have a love/hate relationship with their sat nav.
Three in ten hate having to put up with it losing the GPS signal and a quarter struggle trying to get the device to stick to the windscreen.
The survey also found the average Brit makes at least nine journeys in their car a week and uses their sat nav on at least two journeys.
Sat nav has also overtaken the trusted book of maps as first choice of helping you get from A to B, with three quarters automatically reach for their satellite navigation system, while just 24 per cent look at maps.
Marcus Thielking added: ''It certainly seems that drivers are experiencing a new form of rage as a direct result of the shortfalls of their sat nav device.
''The sole purpose of any sat nav is to assist drivers in getting from A to B, safely and efficiently, and it appears that some sat navs are simply not living up to motorists' expectations.
''But it's not worth flying into a fit of rage if your sat nav leads you in the wrong direction. It's incredibly frustrating getting lost, but it's best to stay calm."
''The conclusion we draw from the survey is that whilst sat nav is here to stay, most are out of date, expensive, inconvenient and not very user friendly.''
''Whereas modern smartphone navigation apps ensure that the driver always has the most up to date data to keep them heading in the right direction.''
TOP 10 SAT NAV ANNOYANCES
1. It takes me in the wrong direction
2. I'm pretty sure it doesn't take me the quickest route
3. The annoying voice
4. It often loses GPS connection
5. The maps are out of date
6. If frequently falls from the windscreen
7. Map updates are expensive
8. It's difficult trying to input post codes
9. It's slow
10. It's a faff trying to get it to stick to the windscreen
* Average driving life is 61.5 (Average life expectancy: 78.5 - 17) X 21 (no. of miles motorists drive unnecessarily because of their sat nav)
