Navigation App Glue Traps Nearly 100 Drivers in Colorado Mud
A suggested Google Maps detour near Denver International Airport leads dozens of drivers into a rain-soaked, muddy field where they become hopelessly stuck. Google states the route was not marked as private and blames unforeseen weather conditions for the navigation failure.
A Google Maps detour near Denver International Airport leads nearly 100 drivers into a muddy field where they become hopelessly stuck. Drivers looking to escape heavy traffic follow the app's suggested shortcut, which quickly turns from pavement into a dirt road affected by days of heavy rain.
Connie Monsees, one of the stranded drivers, follows a line of cars into the mess because she assumes the heavy traffic means the route is safe. Once drivers enter the muddy area, they find it impossible to turn around, resulting in a massive gridlock of stuck vehicles. Monsees uses her four-wheel drive to escape and even rescues two other stranded passengers.
Google responds to the incident by stating the road is not marked as private and claims the system considers road size and route directness. The company blames the unfortunate situation on unforeseen weather circumstances that degrade the quality of the road, while Monsees points out that human desire for ultimate efficiency drives people to take unnecessary shortcuts.