Sat-nav drivers close to the edge

[Des]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/05042006/344/sat-nav-drivers-close-edge.html

Drivers following the instructions of their satellite navigation systems to a village called Crackpot are being directed to the top of a 100ft cliff, it was reported.
The glitch means motorists are being sent along an unclassified track on the edge of a sheer cliff edge.
Cars, minibuses and even large trucks have taken the steep, twisty road used by holidaymakers, walkers and sightseers travelling from Swaledale to Wensleydale in North Yorkshire.
But it is not used by commuters and is described by locals as "just about passable with a 4X4".
The lane starts off as a Tarmac road but turns into a gravel track, which runs past Steven Porter's farm.
He said: "It's only a matter of time before someone goes over the edge - and it's a 100ft drop. They get so far up and then there's a bad S-bend and they try to come back down. Some of them end up on three wheels because there's no barrier, just some big stones.
"A minibus got stuck two or three weeks ago after the satellite navigation had told them to go up there. Another fellow in a car got stuck a few days ago."
Harold Brown, chairman of the local Grinton Parish Council, said: "The road's just about passable with a 4X4 if you know what you're doing, but the sat-nav systems are sending drivers up it anyway. This modern technology is not all it's cracked up to be."
A spokesman for the North Yorkshire County Council reportedly said: "We will look at the signing issue and any appropriate action that needs to be taken will be taken."
A spokesman for Trafficmaster, which makes one satellite navigation system, said: "We try to make sure our system doesn't send people down smaller routes."

What happened before Sat-nav, did drivers fail to see a cliff edge there?
When did we loose the will to think for ourselves?
Des.

[Dee]

I thought this was a joke story, till I opened the link and discovered not.

Yes Des, good question. I would be leery of allowing anyTHING telling me where to drive. "Haven't I got eyes?"

[RedjackRyan]

and its only gonna get scarier...


Vehicles that are able to parallel park themselves while drivers sit and relax behind the wheel are coming to the United States, according to a Local 6 News report. New Toyota hybrid cars are now available in Britain with a $700 "parking assist" option. Local 6 news showed video of a driver sitting and allowing the car's steering wheel to turn on its own as it pulled into a tight parking spot on a London street. The reporter never touched the wheel as the car parked itself.Toyota says expect to see the technology pop up in the U.S. soon."



Can't wait to see the lawsuits and insurance claims for folks injured by selfparking cars.

[Des]

Vehicles that are able to parallel park themselves while drivers sit and relax behind the wheel are coming to the United States, according to a Local 6 News report. New Toyota hybrid cars are now available in Britain with a $700 "parking assist" option. Local 6 news showed video of a driver sitting and allowing the car's steering wheel to turn on its own as it pulled into a tight parking spot on a London street. The reporter never touched the wheel as the car parked itself.Toyota says expect to see the technology pop up in the U.S. soon."

That's great news for all women drivers:D

*Des flees in fear for his life*:eek:

[Amy in Vermont]

This reminds me of some of the driving directions offered up by MapQuest.

The first time I was to ake a friend to the train station in Port Henry, NY, I figured MapQuest would be a good resource. Now, remember, this is the boondocks here. I knew the train station would be close to the lake. The Adirondacks rise abruptly less than half a mile from the lake's shore over there.

However, MapQuest instructed us to go right past the station and take a left in the middle of town, head toward Lake Placid, then circle right and come back into the village to the Senior Center, which doubles as the train station! This would have added about 15 miles to our journey to the train station which is about 12 miles from my house!

Similarly, MapQuest send one miles out of the way when trying to find the location I previously lived north of Burlington. So there's no accounting for technology... it seems as the crow flies is not part of their paradigm!

A

[Dar]

Peggy and I have a theory that Mapquest intentionally routes drivers in ways that send them past places that have paid for sponsorship of some sort.
Pay attention next time you are directed a way that you KNOW is longer and more convoluted. Bet you dollars to donuts you go past a shopping mall or three.

PS... Des you BETTER run. ;)

[Marcia Drummergal]

Des, I DO take issue about that "women drivers" comment, but then....guys ALWAYS think they are better drivers. Just keep thinking that way if it makes ya feel better. ;)

I must admit, I wouldn't mind a car that knew how to parallel park. It isn't one of my favorite things. I have an extended minivan. It was a lot easier to parallel park when I drove a car.

Marcia :)

[Des]

Des, I DO take issue about that "women drivers" comment, but then....guys ALWAYS think they are better drivers. Just keep thinking that way if it makes ya feel better. ;)

I must admit, I wouldn't mind a car that knew how to parallel park. It isn't one of my favorite things. I have an extended minivan. It was a lot easier to parallel park when I drove a car.

Marcia :)

Who said anything about driving?;)

I totally agree with you Marcia. I feel women are a lot better at driving than men are. They are safer drivers first and foremost, followed by their courtesy on the road towards fellow drivers, especially male drivers.:rolleyes: