Motorist Crashes On SatNav Order...

csv8 · 15-01-2007, 11:19 AM

A 46-year-old German motorist driving along a busy road suddenly veered to the left and ended up stuck on a railway track - because his satellite navigation system told him to.

The motorist was heading into the north German city of Bremen "when the friendly voice from his satnav told him to turn left," a spokesman said.

"He did what he was ordered to do and turned his Audi left up over the curb and onto the track of a local streetcar line. He tried to back up off the track but got completely stuck."

The police spokesman said about a dozen trams were held up until a tow truck arrived to clear the car off the track.

Several German motorists have crashed their cars in recent months, later telling police they were only obeying orders from their satnavs.

EA2BA · 15-01-2007, 11:21 AM

DARWIN awards the lot of them.

I FluXx I · 15-01-2007, 11:30 AM

:lookedat:

Why? Didnt he realise there was no street and if he turned he would just be going up a curb?

fmc351 · 16-01-2007, 01:46 AM

People will say anything if they think it will shift the blame. I dont believe the fool for a second.

kyro_02 · 16-01-2007, 01:49 AM

lol thats pretty funny :P car owner 0 satnav 1. !

5L · 16-01-2007, 04:26 AM

in the advetiser a week or two ago, it said there was a confusion with sat navs as they said you can drive to K.I. not wait here for ferry, it said to drive straight.

thinking about taking mates car down there to test this out with his sat nav, there must be an invisible bridge, otherwise his commodore will be conducting another test, "do vx s packs know how to swim".

XR Martin · 16-01-2007, 05:08 AM

You know you would of got a hell of alot more responses in you changed the nationality of the person to American.

45 people would see it as a perfect opportunity to bash America, 3 people would for whatever reason bring up Iraq, and two people would be on the defence and claim this can happen to anyone, not just 'the stupid Yanks'

**Professor Farnsworth** · 16-01-2007, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmc351

People will say anything if they think it will shift the blame. I dont believe the fool for a second.

why wouldn't you believe it ?

my GPS has told me to take the wrong routes several times. i use it more as a map than anything else. It often tells me to make right turns on freeways, which 9 times out of 10 would involve me mounting the 3 foot median walls, the 10 foot barrier on the opposing side, and then careering off the several metre drop down the the ground. Needless to say, i don't listen to its commands.

GK · 16-01-2007, 08:36 AM

I remember a story about a lady who successfully sued the Winnebago company (IIRC). She put the RV on cruise and went out the back to make a sandwich and coffee.

The RV crashed (duh) and she sued saying that the company should have warned her. Apparently she won, and the owner's manual was ammended to include a warning about it.

I'm not sure if it's true or not; others may be able to confirm this as true or rubbish.

GK

XR Martin · 16-01-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

I remember a story about a lady who successfully sued the Winnebago company (IIRC). She put the RV on cruise and went out the back to make a sandwich and coffee.

The RV crashed (duh) and she sued saying that the company should have warned her. Apparently she won, and the owner's manual was ammended to include a warning about it.

I'm not sure if it's true or not; others may be able to confirm this as true or rubbish.

GK

Urban Myth

http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/cruise.asp

http://www.atla.org/homepage/debunk.aspx

drcook · 16-01-2007, 10:44 AM

do anyone know what model satnav he was using?

if so they should be made mandatory. Every satnav should come with a built-in idiot remover!

photn · 16-01-2007, 10:46 AM

there was also a report some time last year that a German Fellow/old man carreed off the road onto another road that had Road works and signs and all that and Hit a Large mound of dirt and he blamed the Sat NAV

fmc351 · 16-01-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcrackers

why wouldn't you believe it ?

my GPS has told me to take the wrong routes several times. i use it more as a map than anything else. It often tells me to make right turns on freeways, which 9 times out of 10 would involve me mounting the 3 foot median walls, the 10 foot barrier on the opposing side, and then careering off the several metre drop down the the ground. Needless to say, i don't listen to its commands.

Because who would follow the instruction?

Guys either an idiot, or is looking for a lawsuit, or trying to blame equipment for his own lapse in concentration. No-ones that stupid, that only leaves the last two. If the guy was that stupid, he wouldnt reach 12 years old let alone 46.

MITCHAY · 16-01-2007, 12:01 PM

I've always thought these things were a waste of money

: Well was for these people especially.

But yeah I reckon what a load of crap. As if you turn blindly on what a gizmo tells you

:

S3SR · 16-01-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcrackers

why wouldn't you believe it ?

my GPS has told me to take the wrong routes several times. i use it more as a map than anything else. It often tells me to make right turns on freeways, which 9 times out of 10 would involve me mounting the 3 foot median walls, the 10 foot barrier on the opposing side, and then careering off the several metre drop down the the ground. Needless to say, i don't listen to its commands.

but as you said a GPS is for directions, you still got to look at the road and im pretty sure can still tell the difference between road and some curb..... obviously some people should just stay home

TZENU · 16-01-2007, 04:56 PM

A mates sav nav once told us to turn right in the middle of the Westgate Bridge... But i suppose he bought the cheap one!

What ever happened to the good 'ol Melway?

schmidty · 16-01-2007, 08:41 PM

Does anyone know of a satnav that calculates routes according to road classification?

The truck i drive tops out at about 4.450m high, and doesnt like narrow streets, overhanging trees and especially low bridges. I've found i have to have a good look through the melways or the vic roads first and make sure its not going to get me into trouble.

I've got a Navman ICN 720 which was supposed to be their flagship model when i got in october when it was released. Got some nice features but this is 1 that it lacks that i could really do with!

Was speaking to a guy who had one that you could set to pick the route according to road classifications but he had it bought for him by his work and didnt know the brand.

J_Tank · 16-01-2007, 09:04 PM

probably checking out the fraulein in the beamer next to him. not the reason the wife wants to hear you give when you wreck your audi

J_Tank · 16-01-2007, 09:06 PM

Don't put one in an XR6/8 falcon and wear a light blue shirt. every mofo you come across thinks you're a cop and slows down. Makes getting to work take ages.

:

**aussiblue** · 17-01-2007, 12:08 AM

Just be grateful you have a choice and don't yet have to obey the sat nav system. There was an interesting front page in today's "The West Australian Newspaper" titled "'Big Brother's Plan to Slow Speeders". The WA Main Roads Department is reported as testing a system (Intelligent Speed Adaption system) that notifies drivers via sat nav of local speed limits then if he does not reduce speed forces the accelerator pedal back remotely controlling his speed. 50 vehicles including government vehicles (the poor maligned public servants being used as test dummies again) taxis and some commercial vehicles will be trialling the system and the WA Road Safety Council Chair, Grant Dorrington, said the council is considering that the system being made manadatory for novice drivers and recidivist speeders.

The article also said research by Monash Uni had indicated that the system was expected to reduce road fatalities by 8%. If this proves true I guess there is a case (however much we may hate the idea and however much it might appear to infringe on our freedom) to fit it to all cars. The thin edge of the wedge perhaps; who knows in another 10 years all our cars may all be totally remotely driven. I guess one way or the other that's where we are headed; but even when that happens I am sure people will still find a way to kill themselves and others with cars and then blame the sat nav system however well it works.

fmc351 · 17-01-2007, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Just be grateful you have a choice and don't yet have to obey the sat nav system. There was an interesting front page in today's "The West Australian Newspaper" titled "'Big Brother's Plan to Slow Speeders". The WA Main Roads Department is reported as testing a system (Intelligent Speed Adaption system) that notifies drivers via sat nav of local speed limits then if he does not reduce speed forces the accelerator pedal back remotely controlling his speed. 50 vehicles including government vehicles (the poor maligned public servants being used as test dummies again) taxis and some commercial vehicles will be trialling the system and the WA Road Safety Council Chair, Grant Dorrington, said the council is considering that the system being made manadatory for novice drivers and recidivist speeders.

The article also said research by Monash Uni had indicated that the system was expected to reduce road fatalities by 8%. If this proves true I guess there is a case (however much we may hate the idea and however much it might appear to infringe on our freedom) to fit it to all cars. The thin edge of the wedge perhaps; who knows in another 10 years all our cars may all be totally remotely driven. I guess one way or the other that's where we are headed; but even when that happens I am sure people will still find a way to kill themselves and others with cars and then blame the sat nav system however well it works.

I dont want to have to run AVG or Nortons on my car. Radio full of spam, wait....already is, scratch that.

Van D · 17-01-2007, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TZENU

What ever happened to the good 'ol Melway?

Oh god, used one today.. If there's ONE thing i've learnt from using a satnav, it's that no matter how bad they are at directions from time to time, they're still better than a woman in the passenger seat trying to figure out a map!!

Den. · 17-01-2007, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

A 46-year-old German motorist driving along a busy road suddenly veered to the left and ended up stuck on a railway track - because his satellite navigation system told him to.

The motorist was heading into the north German city of Bremen "when the friendly voice from his satnav told him to turn left," a spokesman said.

"He did what he was ordered to do and turned his Audi left up over the curb and onto the track of a local streetcar line. He tried to back up off the track but got completely stuck."

The police spokesman said about a dozen trams were held up until a tow truck arrived to clear the car off the track.

Several German motorists have crashed their cars in recent months, later telling police they were only obeying orders from their satnavs.

I been waiting for one of these! Thanks for making my day and confirming my opinion of idiots with SatNAV systems!

Quote:

Originally Posted by drcook

do anyone know what model satnav he was using?

if so they should be made mandatory. Every satnav should come with a built-in idiot remover!

Speaking of mandatory. Here in North America (Or more exactly the U.S. which means we in Canada are STUCK with it!) there is legislation that from what I understand is going through next year that will make stability control mandatory!!

Needless to say, (If it goes through) this years New Car Guide will be the last one I ever buy! Hard enough NOW to find new cars without Stability and traction control crap!

uranium_death · 17-01-2007, 04:38 AM

SatNav doesn't beat a Melway (or your states equivalent).

Technology will one day rise above its creators and in the year 2029, a massive war will erupt between Earth's automated defense system, "Skynet" and the inhabitants of the planet Earth, The Earthlings (otherwise known as people, pricks, *****, bastards, bitches and a host of other expletives).

To avoid this war, use your Melway. Paper doesn't fight back...often.

Damn paper cuts!

Den. · 17-01-2007, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popinfresh

Oh god, used one today.. If there's ONE thing i've learnt from using a satnav, it's that no matter how bad they are at directions from time to time, they're still better than a woman in the passenger seat trying to figure out a map!!

My wife was my navigator when I ran a courier car. One of the best mapreaders I've ever worked with, male OR female.

My old courier car: (LOL- I miss that hunk of junk!)
I used to say,
"It's not a job, It's an attitude!"

M14A-Mclaren · 17-01-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

You know you would of got a hell of alot more responses in you changed the nationality of the person to American.

45 people would see it as a perfect opportunity to bash America, 3 people would for whatever reason bring up Iraq, and two people would be on the defence and claim this can happen to anyone, not just 'the stupid Yanks'

What has that got to do with anything?

Laminge · 17-01-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M14A-Mclaren

What has that got to do with anything?

I thought it was spot on as it clearly demonstrates the attitude of some members of the forums

Den. · 17-01-2007, 10:43 AM

I don't know about Americans but we Canadians don't NEED an excuse to crash. As a nation we are probably some of the worse drivers on the planet!

csv8 · 17-01-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den.

I don't know about Americans but we Canadians don't NEED an excuse to crash. As a nation we are probably some of the worse drivers on the planet!

Come to Australia !!! Brisbane drivers are kamakaze!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keepleft · 17-01-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

You know you would of got a hell of alot more responses in you changed the nationality of the person to American.

45 people would see it as a perfect opportunity to bash America, 3 people would for whatever reason bring up Iraq, and two people would be on the defence and claim this can happen to anyone, not just 'the stupid Yanks'

Spot on. Happens at satellite technical forums, Whirlpool and the like. God, I tell them America started the second wourld war and that Japanese forces of WW2 committed no atrocities, except that in false-fact that (those nasty) Americans brutalised them, - and some of these extreme-left tools, as dumb as dogshi* go for it.

Its a nasty, pea-brained small man lot.