There's another bout of poorly researched journalism the press this week, which might lead you to think that running a SatNav on a smartphone rather than a bespoke device is illegal.

Here are a couple of more reliable sources:
- government website
- RAC website (scroll down to "Phone as a sat-nav law")

I'm no lawyer, but my conclusion is that the specific offence of using a mobile phone while driving only applies if it is being held in hand (or resting on your lap), and does not apply if the phone is fixed to windscreen or dashboard. It is however no defence to say that a hand-held phone is being used only as a SatNav and not as a telephone.

There remains the general catch-all offence of driving without due care and attention (probably not the correct legal title), which basically means that you must concentrate on the road, and not be programming your SatNav, tuning your radio, or shouting at your children, however they are mounted.

In my opinion, and this is a matter of which I have considerable practical experience, following the clear, concise and timely instructions from Waze is a lot safer and less distracting than trying to interpret the ramblings of a human passenger with a paper map.

Disclaimer: this post is the personal opinion of the author and not formal legal advice - you must take responsibility for your own decisions.