Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Raj Maji
The only thing you need when using Google Maps and following its directions is common sense. If the application suggests a route that doesn't seem right, don't take it.
A Toyota driver found out the hard way that blindly trusting everything in Google Maps is a bad idea, as the man used the application to find a destination in Tamil Nadu, India.
The application generated turn-by-turn directions to the defined destination, and the man followed every step because it was the fastest route to the address. He didn't know the route included a set of city steps, obviously only aimed at pedestrian use, but he followed it anyway.
When the driver came across the stairs, he decided to follow Google Maps' suggestion anyway, thinking it was the right way to go to arrive at the destination. It wasn't, as his Toyota SUV eventually got stuck, with the police and a few volunteers eventually guiding the vehicle to safety.
A video showing the SUV stuck on the steps shows the Toyota stuck at a point where there's already no return. At first glance, it doesn't look like the police were needed – a single volunteer to guide the vehicle would have been enough, as the SUV looks like it has the necessary ground clearance to go down the steps carefully.
It doesn't mean that the SUV should go the same route again. If Google Maps indeed sent the man to the city steps, the application must be updated as soon as possible to correct the error. As we learned from recent cases, other people might follow the same suggestions and end up on the same route again.
Returning to the common sense advice, Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze are fantastic apps if you use them correctly. While the turn-by-turn guidance helps you find a destination faster and more conveniently, you should always pay attention to traffic signs. Applications like Google Maps can't always be up-to-date with what happens on the road, as real-time changes, such as roadworks and closed roads, could lead to your satellite navigation offering broken directions.
Meanwhile, Google typically updates the maps fast, so I wouldn't expect the broken route to remain available in the region. However, if you discover a map issue, you should report it to the search giant to prevent others from using the same route. Authorities worldwide are also working with tech giants to keep their maps up-to-date and accurate, though as many people learned the hard way, the changes don't always happen overnight.
The application generated turn-by-turn directions to the defined destination, and the man followed every step because it was the fastest route to the address. He didn't know the route included a set of city steps, obviously only aimed at pedestrian use, but he followed it anyway.
When the driver came across the stairs, he decided to follow Google Maps' suggestion anyway, thinking it was the right way to go to arrive at the destination. It wasn't, as his Toyota SUV eventually got stuck, with the police and a few volunteers eventually guiding the vehicle to safety.
A video showing the SUV stuck on the steps shows the Toyota stuck at a point where there's already no return. At first glance, it doesn't look like the police were needed – a single volunteer to guide the vehicle would have been enough, as the SUV looks like it has the necessary ground clearance to go down the steps carefully.
It doesn't mean that the SUV should go the same route again. If Google Maps indeed sent the man to the city steps, the application must be updated as soon as possible to correct the error. As we learned from recent cases, other people might follow the same suggestions and end up on the same route again.
Returning to the common sense advice, Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze are fantastic apps if you use them correctly. While the turn-by-turn guidance helps you find a destination faster and more conveniently, you should always pay attention to traffic signs. Applications like Google Maps can't always be up-to-date with what happens on the road, as real-time changes, such as roadworks and closed roads, could lead to your satellite navigation offering broken directions.
Meanwhile, Google typically updates the maps fast, so I wouldn't expect the broken route to remain available in the region. However, if you discover a map issue, you should report it to the search giant to prevent others from using the same route. Authorities worldwide are also working with tech giants to keep their maps up-to-date and accurate, though as many people learned the hard way, the changes don't always happen overnight.
VIRAL VIDEO | An SUV driver, who was using Google Maps to reach Karnataka, ended up stuck on a flight of stairs with his vehicle in Gudalur, a hill town in Tamil Nadu. The man was driving along with his friends after spending the weekend in the town. pic.twitter.com/zUv5BxuHYl
— ℝ (@Rajmajiofficial) January 29, 2024
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