Google Maps misdirection nearly pushes car into stream in Kota

Udupi : A family’s pilgrimage trip turned perilous on Friday night after a suspected Google Maps error nearly caused their car to plunge into a stream at Upladi near Saibarkatte on the Kota main road.

The family, natives of Kerala, was travelling to Kollur to offer prayers at the renowned Kollur Mookambika Temple. While driving along National Highway 66, they reportedly followed a diversion suggested by Google Maps near Brahmavar, taking the Barkur route towards Saibarkatte and proceeding in the direction of Kota.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the Upladi stream, the driver is said to have lost control of the vehicle. The car first rammed into an electric pole and then mounted a cement pillar near the edge of the stream. The vehicle came to a halt barely a foot away from the water, averting what could have been a major tragedy.

There were six occupants in the car, including women and children. Fortunately, all of them escaped without serious injuries. Locals rushed to the spot on noticing the accident and alerted the authorities.

Kota police personnel Raghavendra and ambulance driver Kishore Shetty promptly reached the scene. With the assistance of local residents, they safely evacuated the family members from the damaged vehicle. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is under way.

The incident has once again raised concerns about overreliance on digital navigation systems, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where road diversions, under-construction stretches and unmarked hazards may not be accurately reflected in mapping applications.

A similar mishap was reported last year in Navi Mumbai, where a woman allegedly drove her car into a gorge after blindly following Google Maps directions. In 2024, another incident in Kottayam, Kerala, saw tourists drive into an overflowing stream due to misleading navigation guidance.

Friday’s near-miss at Upladi serves as a reminder for motorists to exercise caution and verify routes locally, especially during night travel or when unfamiliar with interior roads. Authorities have urged drivers not to rely solely on navigation apps and to pay close attention to road signs and local guidance to prevent such accidents.