A woman following her car's sat nav on a foggy night took a wrong turn and ended up driving into a lake.

The 23-year-old driver from Ontario in Canada was following a GPS route at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula - in the south of the province - an area she did not know well. At a certain point after midnight, she lost her way and drove down a steep boat launch into Lake Huron.

The woman was able to roll down a window, grab her handbag and swim 30 metres to safety, as her car filled with water.

Local police said the way the harbour’s boat launch is built means a wrong turn taken on a rainy night would come as a shock.

“She would have been driving on the road, and then all of a sudden just dropped and hit water,” Constable Katrina Rubinstein-Gilbert told the Canadian Press.

The car submerged in Little Tub Harbour (Andrea Vince / Tobermory Press)

The driver sought help at a nearby hotel as her red Toyota Yaris sunk completely.

Ms Rubinstein-Gilbert said the driver was well, if “a little embarrassed”, and would not be charged.

The incident, which took place last Thursday, did not involve alcohol. The vehicle was retrieved from the lake on Friday morning.

The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles Show all 10 1 /10 The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles BlackBerry Bold

The Bold handset is a sleek beast that doubles as a pocket-size satnav. You can chose between using the proprietary map software provided – or third-party GPS services.

Price: From free with contract www.blackberry.com Click here to purchase BlackBerry Bold The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles TomTom Go 930

The latest offering from the leader of the satnav pack is an expensive but comprehensive beast. The Go 930’s software is designed to pick the fastest, most efficient route, factoring in traffic speeds and the day of the week. It’s easy to use whether you type in your address or use the voice input. Impressive.

Price: £399 www.tomtom.com Click here to purchase TomTom Go 930 The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles Garmin Nuvi 770

A must-have for global nomads, this device comes pre-loaded with maps covering both Europe and north America. There is a cheaper version without the transatlantic options. Neat features include a trip log, a “where am I?” option plus an FM transmitter so audio instructions come via your car stereo.

Price: £270 www.garmin.com Click here to purchase Garmin Nuvi 770 Satellite Navigation System The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles HP iPaq 314 Travel Companion

HP’s Travel Companion will please drivers who want a large screen plus high-res graphics. However, the lush visuals do make this otherwise impressive satnav a little slowto respond. It also offers smart 3D maps that realistically represent bridges and elevations.

Price: £114.99 www.amazon.co.uk Click here to purchase HP iPaq 314 Travel Companion The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles Medion GoPal E3230

Typically, a trip to Aldi might yield some cut-price yoghurts or continental ham, but as of today this digital mapper is also available in the aisles. It has a clear touch-screen, free updates, three different vehicle modes and speed camera locations.

Price: £119.99 www.aldi.co.uk; 0844 406 8800 Click here to purchase medion gps sat navsystem The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles Navevo BBNav

Next month sees the launch of this satnav with a difference. Sure, it offers a bright screen and easy-tofollow directions but the key thing about BBNav is that it has been created to make road travel easier for disabled drivers. It highlights suitable parking for Blue Badge holders and 20,000 points of interest for people with disabilities.

Price: £199.99 www.bbnav.co.uk The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles Road Angel Navigator 6000

As well as offering speedy satellite navigation, this number warns its users of upcoming safety cameras, accident blackspots, congestion charging zones and primary schools. It also displays the speed limits.

Price: £179.99 www.nav-now.co.uk; 0800 634 4480 Click here to purchase Road Angel Navigator 6000 The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles Mio C520T

With accurate, preloaded maps, the C520T is good to go straight from the box. You get clear instructions, wide screen and a speed camera warning. It comes with TMC to help to avoid jams.

Price: £249.99 www.handtec.co.uk; 0845 644 7727 Click here to purchase Mio C520T The Ten Best Sat Nav Consoles Navigon 2100

Another keenly priced satnav, this 21st century take on the old-style road atlas is easy to use, provided your fingers aren’t too broad as destination inputting requires delicate digiting. You get swift route calculation times, countdowns to motorway exits and true-to-life signposting.

Price: £89.99 www.amazon.co.uk

The driver has denied all media requests.

One in seven drivers in the UK admit to making risky manoeuvres to correct sat nav mistakes, according to a survey by road safety charity Brake.