Scotland’s capital will install barriers near a series of bumps hit by unwary drivers following erroneous instructions from Google and Apple Maps, officials have announced.
The temporary measures in Edinburgh come after a number of vehicles, including at least one commercial truck, became stranded on the top bunk after relying on navigation tools to drive the wrong way, according to reports. .
“The sidewalks in this area are incredibly busy, so incidents like this are really concerning,” said Scott Arthur, one of the city council members. According to Sky News.
“We ask motorists to use common sense in situations like this and we will be installing temporary barriers this week to prevent it from happening again.”
The road layout has changed since last year when stairs were installed.
Just Monday, a delivery driver was involved in a gruesome accident while trying to get to a nearby theater.
“I was just following (the navigation system). I remember often coming down this road. I followed it and got stuck,” he said. he told BBC Scotland News. “I didn’t know there was a step up there, I always come down here. I’m a little embarrassed about that.”
Officials have written to Apple and Google in hopes that the tech companies will make changes to their navigation tools.
Google Maps recently confirmed that the update had been made, but the city is awaiting a response from Apple Maps regarding its request for correction, Sky News reported. Barriers will be in place for the time being.
“(Satellite navigation) is a very useful tool, but it’s not a substitute for common sense,” said Arthur, the local official. “Cars and trucks don’t go down the steps.”
