Following Your GPS Over A Cliff Is No Excuse For Bad Driving
from the in-case-you-were-wondering... dept
Verve alerts us to the news that one of the many drivers who have been chronicled following their GPS over their own common sense has discovered that "following my GPS" is not an acceptable defense in court. In this case, the guy followed the GPS's commands down a "narrow cliffside path" until the car got stuck against a fence, overlooking a sharp drop. He's now been convicted of "driving without due care and attention." The prosecutor wasn't exactly kind, but apparently the following was convincing to the judges:The path was not designed for motor vehicles yet Mr Jones slavishly continued to follow the satnav system to the point where his eyes and his brain must have been telling him otherwise to such a degree he was not exercising proper control of the vehicleFor his part, the guy admitted he was an "idiot," but said he was just following instructions:
I might have been an idiot for taking the wrong road or carrying on but I have not driven without due care or attention.
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Filed Under: common sense, driving, gps
Reader Comments
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That's too bad.
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Re: That's too bad.
Uh oh.
Enstein's quote about human stupidity just entered my mind.
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Re: Re: That's too bad.
That is practically my motto.
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Re: That's too bad.
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When I was done, the GPS had me get back on the expressway to go back to Chicago. I realized it was odd, but despite the evidence in front of me, I also assumed the GPS was correct. That I needed to back-track in some way to get back on the toll road. It was wrong and I was an idiot. Well, most people already know about the latter.
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At least you didn't drive off a cliff or onto railroad tracks.
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We were doing something similar to you--actively questioning the GPS directions, but willing to let it take us a little further in the hopes that it would work itself out. Especially since we otherwise knew nothing about the local roads.
However, I think (I hope) the difference is that most folks would keep a very clear understanding of the possible negative consequences of continuing and weighing that against the use of the GPS. For example, once the trade-off (GPS or our control) involved possible damage to us or the vehicle we bailed. There was a small cost to our time, but no other consequence.
I would hope that if I was driving mountain roads, I'd be very skeptical of odd directions.
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This guy did not do that. He drove where there was not even a road. Or how about the guy that drove down the train tracks because his GPS told him to? There is a big difference between taking a wrong turn and driving where a vehicle is CLEARLY not meant to go. Despite your mistake, you are still free to laugh at these idiots.
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uh-em...
HAHAHahahaHAHAHahaha! What a moron!
You know, they say having a good laugh everyday can do wonders for your health... So bring on the idiots!
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(Someone might get that.)
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The day of spam!
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I work on computers enough to not trust them.
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It's a game
Apparently the GPS is afraid of using the suicide lane.
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gps vs. common sense
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Re: gps vs. common sense
B. I am so sick of FUD about that McDonalds case. Even basic investigation will show you that the manager of that franchise was clearly and willfully negligent, and all the lady orignally asked for was her medical bills paid.
p.s. Guess what? Just putting the words "Beverage in container may be very hot." does not relieve you of responsibility if the beverage in the container is very VERY (in fact illegally) hot and then spills and burns someone. So that whole backlash response was idiotic.
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New opportunity...
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Re: New opportunity...
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Blade Runne
I wonder if he has one of those "God is My Co-Pilot" bumper stickers. Snoogins.
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Sat nav
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2640633/900-fine-for-sat-nav-driver-who-was-left-dan gling-over-cliff.html
Complete with picture.
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Dangerous
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