From misdirection to mishaps: Google Maps' accident trail in 2024

We’ve all been there, following the glow of our phone’s screen through city streets or country roads, trusting Google Maps to get us where we need to go. But 2024 proved to be a year where that trust was severely tested, with several incidents highlighting the app’s fallibility, leading to accidents, near-misses, and tales of frustration from around the globe.

One of the most tragic incidents occurred in Badaun, India, where Google Maps navigation led to a fatal accident. As reported by Financial Express, three people in a car following the app’s directions ended in catastrophe, literally falling from a bridge under construction. This incident has sparked widespread concern among netizens about the reliability of navigation apps in critical situations.

Similarly, in Kerala, another user’s faith in Google Maps took him straight into a river. The Deccan Herald detailed how a driver, blindly following the app’s route, drove his car into the water, mistaking it for a road. Fortunately, this incident did not result in fatalities, but it also sparked discussions about the potential dangers of over-reliance on digital navigation.

Across the ocean, in the United States, a less deadly but equally dramatic event unfolded in Utah. The New York Post reported on a man who, after choosing a ‘shortcut’ suggested by Google Maps, found his vehicle stranded on a mountain, with no easy escape route in sight. This scenario, while not resulting in injury, left the driver in a precarious position, highlighting another aspect of navigation errors – the unexpected detours that can lead to significant inconvenience.

The issues aren’t confined to single countries or continents. An investigation by TechCrunch revealed Google Maps’ shortcomings in the West Bank, where users often find themselves navigating through a maze of checkpoints and roadblocks that the app fails to adequately represent. This has led to significant delays, frustration, and in some cases, dangerous situations for locals and travelers alike.

Earlier this year, German tourists in Australia faced a nightmare situation after getting lost in the remote Far North Queensland wilderness because of Google Maps. The two friends were helpless for a whole week, even coming face to face with crocodiles. Google claimed that it would investigate the mishap caused by its navigation system.

These incidents paint a troubling picture for Google Maps in 2024, where the promise of ‘getting you there’ has sometimes resulted in unintended detours, accidents, or worse. However, it also shows us how much we rely on our technology to get it right. It’s not just this year that Google Maps had a part in fatal accidents. In late 2023, a man following Google Maps drove into a creek and lost his life.

Earlier, in 2021, a man following Google Maps drowned after driving into a dam in India. I’m sure you’ll find several other similar examples where Google Maps played a part in accidents with a quick Google Search. However, there might be hundreds of near misses that haven’t been reported on. In fact, I’ve been in a similar situation myself.

During our annual road trip back to our hometown in India during the winter, we followed Google Maps, trusting it to lead us to our destination as usual. But halfway through the trip, we found ourselves on an eerily lonely road. The road seemed freshly tared and was a bliss to drive on, however, something just didn’t feel right. Adding to the trouble, the fog made it impossible to see further down. So we listened to our gut feeling and decided to slow down. A minute later, we were just a few meters away from an abrupt end of what was a flyover under construction. 

There were no warning signs, no roadblocks, and nothing to indicate that we weren’t supposed to be on it. So instead of putting all your faith into Google Maps, or any navigation app for that matter, always be alert about your surroundings. If things don’t feel right, chances are that you’re right. Stay safe out there!