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GPS Sends Another Driver Onto Train Tracks of Doom
We've seen some pretty extreme cases of excessive faith in GPS, but this may well be the first instance of the ill-advised practice nearly exactly repeating itself. As you may recall, earlier this year a Bedford Hills, New York man trusted his GPS so much that he apparently thought it was perfectly reasonable to follow the directions directly onto a set of train tracks. That didn't exactly work out so well, for his car or the oncoming train.
Now, as The Journal News reports, another man followed his GPS onto the very same set of tracks last night and, while he did get out in time to make a surely embarrasing 911 call, that apparently wasn't enough to prevent a commuter train from slamming into the car a few minutes later, causing an hour and a half delay but, thankfully, no injuries. Maybe it's time for some signs?
Now, as The Journal News reports, another man followed his GPS onto the very same set of tracks last night and, while he did get out in time to make a surely embarrasing 911 call, that apparently wasn't enough to prevent a commuter train from slamming into the car a few minutes later, causing an hour and a half delay but, thankfully, no injuries. Maybe it's time for some signs?
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Comments
65
Subscribe to commentspatrickgawneOct 1st 2008 6:24AM
I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of people with gps devices.
There could be a psycho carjacker with a gun to my head and I would still never drive down a set of RR tracks.
riversidelimoOct 1st 2008 6:28AM
Being sketical,I drove this same route yesterday (9/30) to 333 North Bedford Rd. using my Maggelan AND Becker GPS. Neither GPS told me to turn anywhere near these train tracks.
When you get off the exit, it tells you, "turn right in 1/2 mile" (onto Rt 117).
I'd like to see this gentleman's GPS.
He's full of it.
hit manOct 1st 2008 12:54PM
How do you know what directions was given to his GPS. You cannot say that without knowing what directions was entered in his GPS. Dont make up conclusions without the facts
msisis62Oct 1st 2008 1:16PM
since most GPS's get their maps from mapquest, or other online map services, it goes to show those services are not 100% accurate either. I once had Mapquest trying to drive me literally in circles. Luckily I wasn't dumb enough to fall for it. If I was one of these people, I'd probably still be driving in circles!
My house isn't even on some GPS - why? Because they have old maps - you kinda have to update them in order to get them to work right, and most probably don't even do that. Mapquest didn't add my house until about 3 years ago, so that tells me where they were getting the maps (the house has been here for 7 years).
JTNTOct 1st 2008 7:10AM
My husband said, ": I think he bought his GPS from Acme (the company that supplied the Coyote). It makes me wonder how a lot of people (not everyone) managed to drive anywhere before GPS Whatever happened to an atlas? Common sense? Oh well....live and learn.
maudieOct 1st 2008 7:50AM
The man should not be allowed to ride a bike much less drive a motorized vehicle. I guess he will sue the manufacturer of the GPS and win millions of dollars.
escem59Oct 1st 2008 8:09AM
Stupid is as stupid does,and those who put total faith in an inanimate gadget, instead of using the brain in conjunction with the device, only puts innocents into their equation of intellectual suicide and debauchery of our social aptitude.GET REAL PEOPLE,WAKE UP! Technology exist to fix stupidity,if you have the money to do so.
Larry VincentOct 1st 2008 8:10AM
"My GPS made me do it , officer! "Otherwise I wouldn't have traveling the wrong way on that one-way street." Duh!!!
StarryOct 1st 2008 8:14AM
Oh, anyone knows that there may be errors in databases. They are inpur by humans... and humans err. BUT anyone THAT STUPID... to NOT use their common sense along with their GPS? Should not be DRIVING!! ... or procreating further!
dangomez322Oct 1st 2008 8:34AM
stupid is as stupid does!! gps or not,why would anyone drive on railroad tracks? this is unbelievable! take away their driver's liscense before they kill innocent people.
jenOct 1st 2008 8:25AM
i do feel sad these people have lost thier lives. if my gps told me to drive across train tracks theres no way i would do it. not only do you put yourself in danger you put other people on the trains in danger if they slam into your car. i mean if your gps told you to drive through someones house or walk out of your car and jump off the bridge would you do it? no
leeannOct 1st 2008 10:31AM
these people did not die
Fred GoldenFeb 28th 2009 3:56AM
If your GPS told you to take a long drive off a short pier. would you be stupid enough to do it?
It is called the Darwin Therory.
If you are that stupid, then go and kill yourself. Just don't put others in danger by driving onto a railroad track.
ReneeOct 1st 2008 8:38AM
A while back a lady from out of town, using a GPS, was driving at night in the town where I live, and it led her into the river! Lucky for her, she came out of it okay. I realize it was at night, but I still don't quite understand how someone can be led to drive onto train tracks or into a river. Makes you wonder if there are some blind people using these things to drive around:)
mrsgoodbuyOct 1st 2008 8:41AM
How dense can someone be? It isn't rocket sciencce to realize that you should not be driving along on train tracks. It sounds like some of his intellegence genes drown in the gene pool.
CondorOct 1st 2008 8:45AM
Once again, natural stupidity trumps artficial intelligence! :)
BobOct 1st 2008 8:47AM
When I read ridiculous stories like this I cant believe how people in this world have become such feeble-minded idiots that they have to have such things as GPS devices to get to where theyre going. What ever happened with using a road map or calling for directions to where you have to go? Its hard to believe how we survived all these years without this great technology.
jaguar66Oct 1st 2008 9:22AM
If this is a repeat error -- what brand GPS is this and what map database is it using (the real cause)?
In my experience, some of the map database files are two or more years out of date at the time the pricey 'update' download is available to customers. There doesn't seem to be any accountability.
KKOct 1st 2008 10:14PM
I agree, we definitely need to find out GPS brands and programs. Twice in the same place is a bit crazy....
And I'm from the area and I can say that these train tracks have been there way before GPS technology was invented. The GPS map shouldn't be out of date.
Although, I guess, I have seen what you're saying. Mapquest always gives me directions from my development to the main road that don't even exist anymore, and haven't existed for many years.
If they just plain get it wrong from the start, we're all screwed..
GdudeOct 1st 2008 8:51PM
The interesting thing is that some of these folks, and I include the British "GPS accidents" previously reported, appear to be "driving on instruments".