Monday, November 25, 2024
By Kamal Swami
Don’t Rely Blindly on The Google Maps
The use of Google Maps to reach an unknown destination is no more a wonder. To offer a flawless moving experience, Google is also not leaving any stone unturned in updating its algorithms from time to time. Despite this in a recent incident, three people lost their lives while using Google Maps. The incident took place in the Bareilly district when the victims, going to attend a wedding, unknowingly drove onto an under-construction bridge guided by the navigation app.
This incident has once again put a question mark on the reliability of navigation systems like Google Maps. The navigation system is widely used by vehicle owners, cyclists, and pedestrians across the world. Although, from time to time the platform has faced criticism for inaccuracies that have occasionally resulted in severe accidents.
This recent incident in Uttar Pradesh is not the first ever incident. Earlier this year, a similar event in Telangana had a Ford Endeavour SUV fall into a canal with the driver relying on Google Maps to reach the destination. The same incident also took a life, when the driver lost his way due to the incorrect GPS data led a driver onto a collapsed bridge. These incidents are enough to expose the limitations of even the most popular navigation technologies.
Google Maps, along with other navigation platforms like Apple Maps and Waze, has revolutionized transportation by providing turn-by-turn instructions and real-time updates. However, the success of using these systems mainly relies on the data available to them. Construction works, unfinished roads, and other disruptions aren’t recorded while using the navigation system, especially in places located in rural areas. Before raising a question about the reliability of these navigation systems, the happening of such incidents is like a reminder for users to rely on their use with precaution.
