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Google Sued Over BlackBerry Pedestrian Maps Directions that Leads to Accident

If you fancy taking a walk and use your Google Maps Pedestrian directions on your BlackBerry smartphone to get a walking route, the last thing you’d expect is to be given directions that would end up with you being run over, but this is what has apparently happened.

According to Samuel Axon of Mashable, by way of a Search Engine Land article, Google is being sued by Lauren Rosenberg for damages as the Google Maps walking directions instructed her to walk along a busy highway that had no pedestrian pathway.

Rosenberg followed the directions to the letter and was unfortunately struck by a vehicle driven by Patrick Harwood. The Google Maps walking directions told Rosenberg to walk over a mile on Deer valley Drive which is also known as Highway 224 following the route on her BlackBerry smartphone.

As a result Rosenberg has files a lawsuit against both Google and Harwood citing both had responsibility in her injury, and Rosenberg’s lawyers say Google is liable as it didn’t warn Rosenberg that the route didn’t offer a safe place for pedestrians to walk and is thus suing for $100,000 in damages.

Okay I can understand that Google Maps may have delivered an unsafe route, but there should be an element of common sense involved here, common sense to know if walking somewhere poses a threat and you shouldn’t walk there, or is it a case of simply following the technology blindly and without question.

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One thought on “Google Sued Over BlackBerry Pedestrian Maps Directions that Leads to Accident”

  1. Frankie says:

    Quote from Google Maps #1: "Walking directions are in beta. Use caution – This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths."

    Quote from Google Maps #2: "These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather, or other events may cause conditions to differ from the map results, and you should plan your route accordingly. You must obey all signs or notices regarding your route."

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