Death by Google Maps

By: Lilease Waldron

Google Maps is used by more than one billion people every month, according to Google Cloud data gathered in 2019. While technology is an essential assistant in today's society, people often put too much faith in its accuracy, resulting in disaster or death.

Death by GPS is a term referring to incidents, usually deaths, caused by people following digital mapping routes. This has been documented numerous times with different systems across the globe. Very recently, two instances occurred with the GPS company Google Maps, and they received heavy backlash for their directional mistakes.

November 4th, 2023, two hikers in British Columbia were rescued by helicopter after following a nature trail that was visible on Google Maps but didn’t actually exist. The ‘trail’ was on a steep and heavily vegetative cliff, making it a relief that they were spotted and saved before the situation worsened. The route was removed from Google Maps two days later, with no mention of how it got there in the first place.

While people were upset with the company after this incident, the argument about safely utilizing Google Maps for wilderness ventures is debatable. Scenery and weather are constantly changing, nature lacks service, and devices can easily die. Using a GPS system on regular roadways, however, should never be a questionable decision.

On September 30th, 2022, a father of two drowned in North Carolina after following Google Maps directions and driving off a bridge that collapsed in 2013. The father, Phillip Paxson, was unfamiliar with the area, and the bridge was pitch black, with no guards or artificial lighting to warn him. Google Maps is now facing a lawsuit from Paxson’s family due to negligence, as the company was notified of the unsafe bridge several times in the years leading up to Paxon’s death.

There have been countless instances over the years of death by GPS that don’t involve Google Maps, so the company itself isn’t the only point of blame. Yet, standing as the most popular GPS system in the world, they should be held to a high safety standard and be expected to update their system consistently.

Death by GPS most often results from outdated or incorrect GPS maps combined with individuals paying more attention to their system than what’s in front of them. Individuals should avoid unsafe circumstances by being alert of new surroundings and checking roadway signs. When off-grid, one should research before venturing to a new nature spot and utilize trail-specific GPS systems or paper maps for the utmost safety.

People shouldn’t become fearful of GPS or specifically Google Maps, but rather should be aware that technology isn’t always the most trustworthy tool. Remember to be mindful and use it as an advantage rather than allow it to be a demise.