Don’t blindly follow Google Maps! Ft. Tata Harrier

It is very correctly said that technology is a great servant and a worst master. Nowadays we are dependent more than ever on different technologies for our everyday tasks. The results are many time so hilarious and grave, they force us to re-think our strategies. Google Maps, was also made with the main aim of people navigating. But, if you put Google Maps in the driver’s seat, the situation may become grave sometimes very soon. Find out below Google Maps issue with a Tata Harrier.

What was the situation?

The Owner of a new Tata Harrier XM was travelling from Pune to Jabalpur was travelling at night with parents, when he faced this complicated situation.  Being a new car driver, he was quite excited for the long route driving but not very well prepared.  He took the help of Google Maps for navigation and left Pune at 9 am.

The owner planned to make a stop at Nagpur that night, with Google Maps ETA of 11 pm.  However, near Amravati Google Maps showed an empty, shorter alternate road and the driver followed it without thinking/inquiring much.  However, the road was quite dark and narrow.  After covering about 20km in one hour, he reached a river with a weak bridge.  Sitting in an SUV, he decided to test the car’s abilities at night, which itself was a bad decision and tried to cross from the left side of the bridge. Just as he drove the SUV over the river bed, the car lost traction and kept getting even more stuck. More about Google Maps issue with a Tata Harrier below.

What was the solution?

The owner tried getting out for 30 minutes but was unsuccessful. He noticed smoke coming out of the engine area, and various electrical equipments getting shut down. Whether he properly used the ESP/driving modes is still unclear. However without taking any further risk, he called Road Side Assistance at 2:30 am which arrived at 4:00 am from 70kms away. The owner was very lucky to have been rescued safely from the remote location without much trouble.

Conclusion

Just like the starting of the article, I would like to end by reminding everyone that the human brain is the most complex machine, and to use it well. The Google Maps is great for day to day city commute, with up to date information and for knowing traffic conditions. If you feel that you can save fuel costs via an alternate route, think again and ask some locals.  Nighttime is also the worst situation to conduct experiments due to low visibility and other issues.  Also, try only when you are sure that you can succeed. If you feel to return to the main road after some time, don’t think again and just turn the car swiftly.

Also read: 4 Unique/Useful car accessories in India for 2020

For more such content stay subscribed to the Motoroctane Youtube, Google NEWS, Facebook and Twitter. We also have a paid car consultancy service for all your doubts – Know more before one of your largest investment.