Google Maps is annoying because it inaccurately indicates road closures on highways - Google Maps Irritated by Alleged Road Blockages
On Ascension Day, a public holiday, Google Maps misled numerous drivers in major German cities, such as Hamburg, Berlin, and Frankfurt, with inaccurate information about road closures. The authority in several cities confirmed that no such closures occurred, contradicting the red markings shown on Google Maps. Notably, parts of Belgium and the Netherlands also faced similar issues, according to reports from "Bild" newspaper. After several hours, Google rectified the mistake.
Google acknowledged the incident and undertook an investigation. They explained that their data originates from various sources, including third-party providers, public transport authorities, and user inputs. The company also mentioned that they added a process to recheck and correct false markings, following user reports. The reason behind the inaccurate information remained undetermined.
The error contributed to significant traffic disruptions, as drivers altered routes and congested smaller roads. The incident was particularly consequential due to the increased travel volume associated with the holiday. Authorities advised drivers to consult multiple sources for accurate traffic information before embarking on journeys.
Recently, Google incorrectly marked highway tunnels in Thuringia as closed, but corrected the issue following a complaint from the police.
The Commission, in light of the recent Google Maps incident that led to traffic disruptions on a public holiday, might consider a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from technological risks, such as misleading information in general-news situations. Meanwhile, Google is investigating the causes of the inaccurate road closure markings, leaving the reason behind the error undetermined.
