Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/edinburghlive.co.uk
The tiniest error in Google Maps could put drivers in the most ridiculous situations, and two drivers from Edinburgh figured it out the hard way.
The navigation app suggested a wrong turn, telling drivers to drive down a new set of steps next to the Theatre Royal Bar… and two drivers took the advice, trying to continue the route as indicated by Google Maps.
To Google's defense, the stairs replaced what was once a road open to cars, but Google Maps failed to update the data and, therefore continued to suggest the route despite now being open only for pedestrians.
However, it was fairly obvious the route wasn't appropriate for a vehicle. A driver who wanted to follow Google Maps' suggestion had to mount the curb, cross the cycle lane on Greenside Lane, and slowly try to go down the stairs without damaging the vehicle.
Two drivers were brave enough to attempt the stunt… and both got stuck. The second vehicle was a Toyota Prius that only made it through the first steps, after which it could no longer continue the route and called for help.
Both drivers (as well as others online) blamed Google Maps for the directions, and the local media confirmed that the application offered incorrect suggestions. However, a Google spokesperson recently said the issue was resolved, so Google Maps should no longer suggest the stairs as a turn for vehicles.
While Google Maps was the one to blame for this blunder, I can't help but remind everybody that drivers are fully responsible for everything they do behind the wheel. It's not the first time sat-nav solutions have offered incorrect solutions, putting drivers in dangerous situations, but too many people take everything for granted and follow directions blindly. Common sense is the answer in these cases, and if a route suggested by Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, or another application looks dangerous or incorrect, you'd better not follow it.
A tiny error in the routing engine or outdated map data could lead to these apps sending you to the middle of nowhere. Not long ago, a dozen cars left the highway in the United States and tried to drive through the desert in Nevada after Google Maps found an alternate route. All vehicles went slowly on the unpaved road until the drivers decided to turn and go back to the interstate. Some even required fixes, as they were damaged on the desert roads.
Google also acknowledged the error, explaining in a statement a few days later that it removed the route from Google Maps, telling users driving in the region to stick with the highway and no longer get them through the desert just to arrive at the destination a few minutes faster.
To Google's defense, the stairs replaced what was once a road open to cars, but Google Maps failed to update the data and, therefore continued to suggest the route despite now being open only for pedestrians.
However, it was fairly obvious the route wasn't appropriate for a vehicle. A driver who wanted to follow Google Maps' suggestion had to mount the curb, cross the cycle lane on Greenside Lane, and slowly try to go down the stairs without damaging the vehicle.
Two drivers were brave enough to attempt the stunt… and both got stuck. The second vehicle was a Toyota Prius that only made it through the first steps, after which it could no longer continue the route and called for help.
Both drivers (as well as others online) blamed Google Maps for the directions, and the local media confirmed that the application offered incorrect suggestions. However, a Google spokesperson recently said the issue was resolved, so Google Maps should no longer suggest the stairs as a turn for vehicles.
While Google Maps was the one to blame for this blunder, I can't help but remind everybody that drivers are fully responsible for everything they do behind the wheel. It's not the first time sat-nav solutions have offered incorrect solutions, putting drivers in dangerous situations, but too many people take everything for granted and follow directions blindly. Common sense is the answer in these cases, and if a route suggested by Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, or another application looks dangerous or incorrect, you'd better not follow it.
A tiny error in the routing engine or outdated map data could lead to these apps sending you to the middle of nowhere. Not long ago, a dozen cars left the highway in the United States and tried to drive through the desert in Nevada after Google Maps found an alternate route. All vehicles went slowly on the unpaved road until the drivers decided to turn and go back to the interstate. Some even required fixes, as they were damaged on the desert roads.
Google also acknowledged the error, explaining in a statement a few days later that it removed the route from Google Maps, telling users driving in the region to stick with the highway and no longer get them through the desert just to arrive at the destination a few minutes faster.
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