Google sued after man drove off collapsed bridge while following map directions(apnews.com)
apnews.com
Google sued after man drove off collapsed bridge while following map directions
https://apnews.com/article/google-maps-lawsuit-north-carolina-death-f4707247ee3295bf51bbcb37bd0eb6c8
4 comments
This happened to me while trying to go to a new Tesla supercharging outfit in Seiverville, TN.
Tesla gets parts of their routes from Google Maps, and this particular route was more than happy to send me down a road that looked all but abandoned and, from what I could tell, went straight through (into?) a huge ditch.
Tesla gets parts of their routes from Google Maps, and this particular route was more than happy to send me down a road that looked all but abandoned and, from what I could tell, went straight through (into?) a huge ditch.
The bridge had been collapsed for 9 years.
During that time, the authorities put up "Road Closed" barricades.
If a man drove off a collapsed bridge, he somehow got around those barricades, or they were removed. THAT is where the lawsuit needs to start.
I miss the days when lawyers were sentient beings.
During that time, the authorities put up "Road Closed" barricades.
If a man drove off a collapsed bridge, he somehow got around those barricades, or they were removed. THAT is where the lawsuit needs to start.
I miss the days when lawyers were sentient beings.
From the article:
> State troopers who found Paxton’s body in his overturned and partially submerged truck had said there were no barriers or warning signs along the washed-out roadway
> State troopers who found Paxton’s body in his overturned and partially submerged truck had said there were no barriers or warning signs along the washed-out roadway
Also from the article:
> The North Carolina State Patrol had said the bridge was not maintained by local or state officials, and the original developer’s company had dissolved. The lawsuit names several private property management companies that it claims are responsible for the bridge and the adjoining land.
⇒ I think it’s quite possible that the authorities never put up "Road Closed" barricades there. It wasn’t their bridge and, presumably, the last stretch of road leading to it wasn’t their road. Or do I think too low of the authorities in the USA?
> The North Carolina State Patrol had said the bridge was not maintained by local or state officials, and the original developer’s company had dissolved. The lawsuit names several private property management companies that it claims are responsible for the bridge and the adjoining land.
⇒ I think it’s quite possible that the authorities never put up "Road Closed" barricades there. It wasn’t their bridge and, presumably, the last stretch of road leading to it wasn’t their road. Or do I think too low of the authorities in the USA?
That is who you sue. The people who did not bother to set up road closed or bridge out signs / barricades.
I had the same reaction but I found another article with more info:
> It was dark and rainy out...
> Typically, barricades are in place to prevent drivers from crossing the bridge, North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. But the barricades had been removed after being vandalized and were missing at the time of Paxson’s wreck.
source: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/...
> It was dark and rainy out...
> Typically, barricades are in place to prevent drivers from crossing the bridge, North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. But the barricades had been removed after being vandalized and were missing at the time of Paxson’s wreck.
source: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/...
So the cops removed the barriers after vandalism, and someone died as a result.
> He had driven off an unguarded edge and crashed about 20 feet below, according to the lawsuit.
How is this possible aside from, maybe, using your phone while driving?
How is this possible aside from, maybe, using your phone while driving?
"This is the lake!" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOW_kPzY_JY
1. Actually be prepared. Have a real map, the right equipment and know how to use it.
2. Pick a remote, scenic destination.
3. Put it into Google Maps and try to get there.
You lose if:
1. You successfully get to your destination on a road passable by a normal passenger vehicle.
2. You don't get to your destination due to vehicle/equipment failure or being unprepared for the hazards encountered.
You win if:
1. Google's route required 4wd with bonus points for river crossings, rock crawling and other hazards.
2. Google's route is utterly impassable or otherwise impossible with bonus points for distance traveled in the wrong direction.
The places Google Maps will happily take you with nary a warning can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. I've encountered numerous people (some obviously lost, others oblivious to their actual situation) in places they frankly had no business being just because they were blindly following a GPS to something they saw on Instagram.