Google Maps is once again in the news for the wrong reasons in India. Two cars crashed in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh after Google Maps allegedly led the drivers onto an under-construction highway. The accident injured six people, with two requiring hospitalization.
Vimlesh Srivastava and Keshav Kumar, residents of Bareilly, were traveling to Mathura's Banke Bihari temple on Friday, December 27 night. After reaching the Sikandra Rau area in Hathras around 10 pm, Google Maps reportedly directed them onto the under-construction Mathura-Bareilly highway. Their car crashed into a mound of mud near Hathras Junction. While the airbags deployed, two passengers were injured.
The victims also blamed local authorities for the accident, saying the lack of reflective signs and indicators on the unfinished road contributed to the crash.
“We were supposed to take the service road but Google Maps directed us onto the highway. The lack of reflective indicators also led to the crash. Local authorities are at fault as well. They should have put up barriers or signages indicating that the road is not ready for use,” Srivastava told Times of India.