Technology has come a long way since Apple Maps’ ill-fated launch sent Australians to the middle of a desert instead of the center of town. While the company has worked out the kinks since then, drivers can’t always rely on GPS directions.
That became painfully obvious to approximately 100 people who took a detour suggested by Google Maps. As reported by Motor1, there was an accident on Peña Boulevard so the app suggested that drivers take an alternate route.
That’s not too unusual, but the suggested detour turned out to be a dirt road. While that doesn’t sound too bad, it was raining on Sunday and that turned the road into a sloppy mess. Some cars ended up getting stuck in the mud and this trapped nearly 100 vehicles behind them on the narrow road.
Also Read: Woman Turns On Train Tracks After Following GPS Directions
To make matters worse, many people were traveling to Denver International Airport as Peña Boulevard is the main artery that connects the city to Colorado’s largest airport. It remains unclear how many people missed their flights due to the detour, but CNN spoke to Connie Monsees who ended up taking two people to the airport because her vehicle had all-wheel drive and was able to traverse the muddy road.
In a statement to the news channel, Google said “While we always work to provide the best directions, issues can arise due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather. We encourage all drivers to follow local laws, stay attentive, and use their best judgment while driving.”