Bareilly: In yet another incident highlighting the risks of relying excessively on digital navigation, a car carrying three passengers plunged into the Kalapur canal in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district on Pilibhit Road. The accident occurred when the driver followed a route suggested by Google Maps, raising fresh concerns over the reliability of satellite based navigation tools.

About The Incident

The car, a Tata Tigor, flipped into the canal near Barkapur Tiraaha, where erosion had damaged a section of the road. Fortunately, all three occupants, including Divyanshu, son of Mahendra Pratap Singh from Auraiya, escaped unhurt. Local police, led by Izzatnagar Station Officer Dhananjay Pandey, responded swiftly and retrieved the vehicle with the help of a JCB machine. A pattern of navigation mishaps This is not an isolated case.

About Another Case

On November 24, a tragic incident in Bareilly claimed three lives when a car guided by Google Maps drove off an incomplete bridge near Muda village on the Dataganj-Faridpur road. The vehicle fell 20 feet after the passengers unknowingly drove over the unbarricaded structure, which lacked warning signs or indicators. The aftermath of the November tragedy saw the Naib Tehsildar of Dataganj filing a case against five engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) for negligence. Police also issued a notice to Google, questioning the accountability of its navigation system for directing unsuspecting drivers onto hazardous routes.

The Double-Edged Sword Of GPS Navigation

While tools like Google Maps have revolutionized travel, incidents like these underline the challenges of relying solely on digital navigation, particularly in areas with poor infrastructure or ongoing roadwork. Bareilly’s recent cases have intensified public outcry, with residents demanding better infrastructure management and stricter oversight of navigation tools.

Experts emphasize the need for collaboration between local authorities and tech companies to regularly update road conditions and provide alerts for incomplete or unsafe routes. Drivers, too, are urged to exercise caution and verify road conditions, especially in rural or underdeveloped areas.

A Wake-Up Call

The Bareilly accidents serve as a stark reminder of the potential risks posed by blind reliance on GPS systems. As the debate over accountability continues, both government agencies and tech platforms face growing pressure to ensure that navigation aids prioritize user safety.