Man turns on train tracks, causes accident because his GPS told him to
- October 1st, 2008
- 6 Comments
Some fool in upstate New York followed his GPS’ directions a little too closely, right onto a pair of train tracks. And yes, the car was hit by a train. No one was hurt, though.
The man, a Mr. Jose Silva of White Plains, turned onto the train tracks in Westchester because, you know, that’s what his GPS device told him to do. Again, he’s fine, and no one on the train was hurt. We’re mainly mentioning it to tease the driver, and to offer a warning: use common sense. If your GPS says to turn right, right off a bridge, you may want to use your better judgment.
And if this sounds at all sounds familiar, that’s because the same thing happened in January. At the same train tracks.
gi joe (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Now I really want to go visit that spot and see for myself why this has happened twice at the same spot. I hope my Garmin can get me there safely….
signy (Who am I?)
2 months ago
I live near the area where that intersection is located, and you should cut the guy some slack.
The intersection with the train tracks is located just feet off a major parkway, at the top of a quick uphill grade. While speed is likely not a factor in the two incidents, the two drivers would have come upon the intersection extremely quickly, and have split seconds to make a decision. Not only is the intersection extremely dark, it’s also paved - the tracks set-in the pavement - and the asphalt inexplicably *widening* around the point of the tracks. This makes the train tracks themselves more difficult to differentiate from roadway, and the critical flaw in my opinion: it gives the false impression that the paved roadway continues off to the left and right. There are few markings, and there is no opportunity to visualize the tracks at night before you are upon them… the tracks are under you *that* quickly, and you’re instantly stuck. Mistaken GPS directions give unfamiliar drivers the illusion that they are guided into a safe location, and this will compound the area’s design problems to deadly levels if something isn’t done.
I’m not saying these two were perfect, cautious drivers - but this will happen again if the area isn’t redesigned.
Also adding to the problem is this situation with emergency reporting: http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810010367
Big Mac (Who am I?)
2 months ago
I can’t see myself ever referring to Westchester as “upstate”…
timheuer (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Reminds me of this Onion story: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/50596
Michael (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Probably some chump trying to get in on that lawsuit action. Time is running out for anyone in the area.