Beware of Google Maps

[SovietSecrets]

So while looking up directions on Google, I found this little gem; Google Maps Lawsuit: Woman Follows Directions, Gets Run Over.

This begs the question, how fucking stupid do you have to be to look at a place and realize that its not safe? Making me think twice about my walking directions from Google now.


http://mashable.com/2010/05/30/google-maps-lawsuit/

 

[crimson5pheonix]

I've had problems with google maps pointing out business' (5 out of the 6 places I looked up on it didn't exist), but I never did anything that dumb.

 

[DefunctTheory]

This is why all mapping software and GPS units come with warnings: Use as an addition to your brain, not as a replacement.

My BLACKBERRY GPS has done similar things, but in reverse. While in Atlantic City, it insisted I drive on the Boardwalk. Not Boardwalk Street, but THE boardwalk. It also was entirely sure that Target was in the middle of Interstate 190, and that I should park in the middle of the highway.

I'm not sure why she's suing who hit her though. Insurance usually pays out the nose when things like this happen.

 

[NJ]

"Cross the Harlem River Drive.
Swim to Queens.
Drown.
Lol."

That's what I'm trying to imagine, being trolled by Google Maps perhaps? Or just simple stupidity.

 

[manythings]

I'm calling it a programming error on googles part and sheer fuck-wittery on her part. The early days of sat nav were a lot more dangerous. I seem to remember a guy get directions that sent him into a lake in... Germany? Must be 5 or more years ago now.

 

[arsenicCatnip]

Google Maps placed a business that my boyfriend and I were trying to reach in the wrong fucking CITY. Yeah, evil.

 

[lacktheknack]

Wow.

I won't stop using it though, it's never led me wrong.

Well, except for when it led me right through a gang fight.

 

[aPod]

Yes, its tragic how technology can cause-

Wait a second we have some breaking news just coming in. It appears that a man using TomTom had taken a left turn at a red light into oncoming traffic. He is suing because he was quote "told to turn left immediately."

Absolutely tragic, back at 10 with our top story Computers: Are They Trying to Kill Us All?

 

[cerebus23]

I guess it too much to ask that people have common sense or critical thinking like "geee that is a busy interstate highway, without a walkway, maybe i should not walk on it? and maybe look for another walkable path or ask for directions or do something other than be bleeping galactically stupid"

 

[DefunctTheory]

Also...

 

[Marter]

Google was just helping out natural selection. Too bad the driver of the car wasn't, or we would have been rid of a person like this by now.

She should have been smarter about her decisions.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

Yes, its tragic how technology can cause-

Wait a second we have some breaking news just coming in. It appears that a man using TomTom had taken a left turn at a red light into oncoming traffic. He is suing because he was quote "told to turn left immediately."

Absolutely tragic, back at 10 with our top story Computers: Are They Trying to Kill Us All?

10 months ago at Google HQ....

"Cyberdyne donated these new servers to us, what should we do with them?"
"Use 'em for maps!"

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Doesn't Google have some directions that say "Swim the Alantic?"

 

[child of lileth]

I just remember the one time I saw it say something about how far you can drive, and then to swim to get from the US to Europe. I just always thought it was weird they didn't even try to say to use a boat. But I guess that would mess with the ETAs for that kind of thing too much.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

I just remember the one time I saw it say something about how far you can drive, and then to swim to get from the US to Europe. I just always thought it was weird they didn't even try to say to use a boat. But I guess that would mess with the ETAs for that kind of thing too much.

Because Google knows how long it takes the average person to swim the Atlantic...

 

[dex-dex]

it is called natural selection

unfortnatly it does not always do part two of the plan aka take them down for the count
and only in america would someone sue goggle for poor directions

 

[chozo_hybrid]

How dare a free service make mistakes!

On topic: I don't use google maps, I use memory or a real map if I haven't been there before.

 

[child of lileth]

I just remember the one time I saw it say something about how far you can drive, and then to swim to get from the US to Europe. I just always thought it was weird they didn't even try to say to use a boat. But I guess that would mess with the ETAs for that kind of thing too much.

Because Google knows how long it takes the average person to swim the Atlantic...

It was a joke. I don't even know if it even has a time or not for that search.

 

[Ken Sapp]

Yet another idiot who should remove themselves from the gene pool. The only people liable are the driver who hit her(His insurance should take care of most of her medical expenses) and the IDIOT woman for walking down a highway that was obviously not safe for pedestrians. Google has no liability in this by any reasonable measure and stupid lawsuits like these are a large part of the problem with the legal system these days.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

I just remember the one time I saw it say something about how far you can drive, and then to swim to get from the US to Europe. I just always thought it was weird they didn't even try to say to use a boat. But I guess that would mess with the ETAs for that kind of thing too much.

Because Google knows how long it takes the average person to swim the Atlantic...

It was a joke. I don't even know if it even has a time or not for that search.

Don't you know? Google has a staff of "average Americans" for the specific purpose of data collection. They do know how long it takes the average American to swim the Atlantic. And the Pacific.