Unforeseen Google Maps Error: Suspended Vehicle Appears Floating Above In-Progress Flyover in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, Examining Previous Aerial Glitches Similar to This Event
A Scary Ordeal in Maharajganj:
In a jaw-dropping incident reported from Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj district, a vehicle plummeted off an under-construction flyover on National Highway 24 on Sunday. Miraculously, all passengers were unharmed. The harrowing incident occurred while the car was following directions from Google Maps, with no indication of the under-construction flyover at the location.
According to reports, the ongoing construction of the flyway near Bhaiya, Pharenda, as mentioned in India Today, might have played a part in this close call. A video of the car dangling mid-air from the under-constructed flyover quickly went viral on social media. In the video, it appears the front of the car flipped forward.
Upon examination of the scene, the police arrived and successfully extracted all the passengers from the vehicle. Some netizens have criticized the driver for blindly trusting GPS, while others have called out the authorities for lack of barriers at the entrance of the bridge.
"Proof that blindly trusting GPS can take you places... literally off the edge!" an X user wrote. One X user even blamed the construction crew, questioning how a car was allowed on an incomplete flyover.
Similar incidents of Google Maps errors have been reported in the past. In January earlier this year, two French cyclists lost their way near Churaili Dam in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly due to Google Maps misleading them. Another incident occurred in January 2025, where a car stuck in Bengaluru traffic was wrongfully displayed as a parking zone on Google Maps.
To reduce the risk of such occurrences during road construction, strategies like real-time updates about road closures, alert systems within Google Maps, effective use of barricades or blockades, work zone safety measures, public awareness, and data collection are essential. By adopting these measures, we can work towards enhancing road safety during construction on national highways.
Parting Thoughts
Why blindly trusting GPS can sometimes take you places, literally off the edge.
And remember, the authorities have a responsibility to ensure hazardous construction zones are kept safely guarded with proper signage and barriers, and that Google Maps is updated with the necessary information.
- This harrowing incident in Maharajganj, India, serves as a reminder that blindly trusting technology, such as GPS, can potentially lead a vehicle off the road, like the instance reported on National Highway 24.
- A recent news about a car accident in India involves Google Maps leading a car off an under-construction flyover, adding to a series of technology-related accidents that have been documented in the past.
- It's crucial for general news outlets to discuss, not just the accidents caused by blindly following GPS, but also the responsibilities of authorities to construct safe roads, provide proper signage, and update technology apps like Google Maps with accurate information to ensure road safety for all travelers.
