Canadian authorities warn drivers to be careful using Google Maps after directions mishap and it’s a win for its rivals
Published on Mar 03, 2026 at 8:05 PM (UTC-5)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Mar 04, 2026 at 12:12 PM (UTC-5)
Edited by
Mason Jones
Canadian authorities had to intervene and warn drivers who were apparently blindly following Google Maps and got in trouble.
A major road closure in British Columbia, Canada, led to chaos when several drivers followed directions to a road that had been shut and got stuck in muddy fields.
Google Maps isn’t the only navigation app with this problem.
But there’s another app that stood out thanks to this incident.
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Here’s what happened, and why this helped one of Google Maps’ rivals
Google Maps apparently began suggesting a new ‘shortcut’ following a major road closure in the District of Coldstream.
The problem is that drivers ended up being redirected through private lawns, muddy fields, and snow-covered closed roads.
Canadian authorities stressed that drivers – not the navigation app – are legally responsible for their actions, which is why they urged drivers to follow common sense (and road signs) more than an app.
Amid the chaos, Waze got some free publicity because, as some might know, the app relies on feedback and live reports from users more than it relies on GPS data and algorithms.
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Why navigation apps sometimes get things wrong
There are several reasons why Google Maps and rival apps get things wrong, but it all boils downs to one element: the algorithm isn’t human and doesn’t reason.
Generally speaking, Google Maps uses a mix of satellite images, local government records and Google Street View data.
But with that combination, it could easily end up categorizing a road as ‘secondary road’, even though that road might be a private road or a dried-up creek bed.
Also, the algorithm tends to ‘mathematically’ prioritize the shortcut regardless of what the shortcut actually is.
On top of that, there could be problems with delayed synchronization, for example when the road has recently been closed, or when there’s a fence or a ditch that the AI doesn’t ‘see’.
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Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
