Photo Essay: GPS Leads Van Into 14-Hour Ordeal
Fri Sep 7, 2007 12:23PM EDT
See Comments (6)
GPS, she gives with one hand, takes away with the other. While GPS can be invaluable when you don't know your way around a strange city or need help on a cross-country road trip, those who rely on its advice to find the occasional shortcut often end up with nothing but sad tales to tell. This is one of them.
The tip-off for this driver should have been the sign that read "Not Suitable for Motor Vehicles," but the first two miles of rural road that his GPS device sent him down were uneventful. Then he slowed down for a corner... and sank into the mud. A tow truck arrived 90 minutes later, only to get stuck as well... followed by the military-style vehicle sent to rescue the tow truck. 14 hours later, a tractor managed to pull all three vehicles out of the muck.
This isn't the first time GPS has gotten a driver into trouble. In May I reported on this poor lass whose car got hit by a train, which was not part of the itinerary. Oddly, many of these stories tend to originate in the UK. Are the roads really that nutty over there?
Whether you're overseas or stateside, remember this tale on your next driving adventure. Be safe out there, and use a little common sense if all else fails!
LINK: Never Trust Sat-Nav!
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Comments on Photo Essay: GPS Leads Van Into 14-Hour Ordeal
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2 Posted by sherpapraxis on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:19PM EDT Report Abuse
Not sure about the UK, but the problem with Americans is we just don't have access to maps. This is an important issue brought to our attention by South Carolina's Miss Teen USA candidate. Many web-sites have sprung up to help ummm... us...and the Iraqis..and Asians.....and such.....and that.....to get us those maps. Seriously, turn off the GPS. Go to the store. Buy a map for $5. Look at the map. Plan your trip. Live your life.
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3 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
Its not maps - its accurate maps that is the problem. Every time I plan for a long trip I end up buying all new maps because the ones I have are too old and the roads have changed too much - there is no stability to the road system in the US - there is too much construction - both fixing things and adding new roads - that it all fails within a very short time.
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4 Posted by commorancy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse
A GPS navigation system is great, but you need to always understand the number one rule. Use common sense when utilizing GPS routes by always making sure the road exists BEFORE you attempt to use it. Not all roads are passable, there can construction going on, the road might only be in a planning stage or the cartographer may have simply made a mistake. So, use common sense when approaching roads that a GPS recommends. Don't blindly follow directions by a GPS. Use your eyes. Also, make sure you update your GPS navigation maps at least once every couple of years, if not every year. Also, carry an up-to-date paper map in case you need to verify using a road that a GPS recommends.
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5 Posted by jck_ahk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse
The problem is maps are made from satellite photography now and the map makers guess where the roads are comparing them to old maps. I found 4 or 5 mistakes within a 5 mile radius of my house. It is an imposable problem to correct unless you drive each road. Map making companies need a way for users to submit corrections to there products.
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1 Posted by gecampbell on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse
Yes, the roads are really that nutty over there. Having lived in the UK for a number of years, you learn to become VERY cautious on anything that's not an "A" or a "B" road. The worst was the single-track (8' wide) road up Hard Knot Pass in the Lake District; it had a 38% (yes, 38 - not a typo) grade, and a 200' drop off one side of the road. Loads of fun to drive with a cantankerous 7-year-old in the car.