In a startling incident in Navi Mumbai, a woman narrowly escaped injury after her car plunged into a ditch while following Google Maps directions on Friday morning. The mishap occurred as she traveled from Belapur to Ulwe, highlighting ongoing concerns about navigation errors in mapping apps. Quick action by marine security officials ensured her safe rescue, but the incident adds to a growing list of accidents linked to Google Maps misdirections.
Navigation Error Leads to Watery Plunge
The driver, intending to cross the Bay Bridge in Belapur, was instead guided by Google Maps onto a route beneath the bridge toward Dhruvatara Jetty. Unaware of the error, she followed the app’s directions, which led her vehicle straight into a water-filled ditch. “She was seen floating in the water,” a marine security official reported, noting that their team swiftly intervened. Within minutes, they rescued the woman, who emerged unharmed. Her white car was later retrieved from the ditch using a crane, as captured in a video of the incident.
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A Pattern of Mapping Mishaps
This is not an isolated case. Google Maps has previously led drivers into dangerous situations with tragic outcomes. Last year, three people perished in Badaun district when their car, guided by the app, drove onto a damaged bridge and fell 50 feet into a river.
Google responded, stating, “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We’re working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue.” In another incident, a group of tourists in Kerala drove into a swollen stream due to Google Maps’ failure to account for flood conditions, though all escaped unharmed. These recurring errors raise questions about the reliability of navigation apps in complex or unfamiliar terrains.
