Man Using GPS Drives Into Path Of Train In New York Suburb

[Kor37 9]

Man using GPS drives into path of train in New York suburb

AP

Posted: 2008-01-03 18:16:25

BEDFORD HILLS, New York (AP) - A Global Positioning System can tell a driver a lot of things - but not when a train is coming.

 

A computer consultant driving a rental car drove onto train tracks Wednesday using the instructions his GPS unit gave him. A train was barreling toward him, but he escaped in time and no one was injured.

 

The driver had turned right, as the system advised, and the car somehow got stuck on the tracks at the crossing. He jumped out and tried to warn the engineer by waving. He got out of the way just before the train slammed into the car at 60 mph (96 kph), Metro-North railroad spokesman Dan Brucker said Thursday.

 

The car was pushed more than 100 feet (30 meters) during the fiery crash.

 

Some 500 train passengers were stranded for more than two hours during the Wednesday evening rush hour.

 

 

Gotta love all of these electronical devices designed to take away Man's capacity to think for himself........

[Theunicornhunter 2]

I hope he purchased the insurance on that rental - thank goodness he escaped injury.

[trekz 7]

I wonder if the computer voice in the car was saying, "Please make a U turn as soon as possible!" when the train hit? <_<

[He Who Shall Not Be Named 2]

This is actually not the first time. I heard a similar story several years ago.

[LordOfTheBorg 1]

hahah... lame... what kind of person does that? "well, the gps says turn onto these train tracks... but its a gps! its always right"

[stvoyagerfan 1]

i don't care how much i like something i wouldn't risk my life for it.

[Wishfire 2]

"In Soviet Russia, road fork you!"

Edited January 6, 2008 by WishfireOmega

[Theunicornhunter 2]

Really, I don't know they are making a big deal of the GPS unit - I think a GPS unit will tell you to turn right or left at a specific street - but I don't think they tell you to cross a railroad track wtihout looking first. Maybe the programmers just assumed people knew to do that - which of course will be wrong - apparently.

 

Seriously, will drivers not stop at a stop sign if the GPS voice doesn't say "stop at the stop sign?"

[Wishfire 2]

TomTom is out for the blood of idiots.

[MrPsychic 1]

Sweet God, Skynet is coming online! It starts with a few "accidents" like this, sooner or later, the missiles start flying.