Please Note: Your GPS System Doesn't Know The Depth Of The Flooded Road

Stupidity

from the when-machines-take-over dept

We’ve talked in the past about how when you have a computer aid you in a decision making process the tendency sometimes is to begin to trust the computer over your own common sense. Still, you would think there are some limits. Earlier this month, lots of folks were talking about a story in the UK where a car navigation system was leading people to the edge of a cliff — though, no one had yet driven over the edge (a few did get stuck). However, Engadget now points to an even more extreme example (also in the UK), where people are so trusting of their GPS system that they’re driving right into extremely deep water, on a road that’s been closed due to flooding. There are warning signs about the road being closed, and the water itself looks pretty obvious. However, there are apparently one or two drivers per day who are so trusting of their GPS system that they try to drive right on through — only to have to be rescued. In some ways this might not be that surprising. Drivers often don’t do a very good job estimating the depth of water hazards — and often feel they can drive right on through. On top of that, if you’re in an area where you’re unfamiliar with the roads, it can be unnerving, so some people may feel they have to trust their GPS system (forgetting that most will recalculate a path if the road you want is no good). Still, though, you would think that the signs announcing the road as being closed, and the amount of water present, would be a tip off that something was problematic.