Setting Up Navigation Safely Before You Start Driving
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
Navigation is safest when the destination is entered and the route briefly reviewed before starting to drive, so that voice guidance alone, rather than glancing at the screen, can carry you through the trip.
Navigation itself is not the risk - interacting with it while the vehicle is moving is, which is why setup matters more than which app you use.
Setting the Destination First
Entering the destination and glancing over the general route before moving removes the single biggest source of navigation-related distraction, connecting to the broader habits covered in our guide to limiting distractions.
Relying on Voice Guidance While Driving
Once moving, voice prompts should carry the trip, with only brief, quick glances at the screen at a stop rather than while the vehicle is in motion.
If a Route Needs to Change Mid-Trip
Pull over safely to adjust a route or address rather than typing while driving, treating this the same as any other communication device interaction.