Kerala police issued cautionary guidelines for using technology during monsoon after two doctors of a private hospital died on their way back home while following directions on Google maps in Thrissur district two days ago. The two doctors, Advaith (29) and Ajmal (29) died in a car accident after they fell into a river while following directions on Google Maps on Sunday. Three others traveling with them are receiving treatment at the nearby hospital.
Talking to PTI, the police said that the visibility had reportedly been very low at the time of the incident due to heavy rains.
"They were following a route shown by Google Maps. But it seems like instead of taking a left turn as suggested by the Maps, they mistakenly continued forward and fell into the river," the police said.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Kerala police warned people against using technology to travel to unfamiliar routes during monsoon.
They said that the maps may suggest a route due to less traffic but they may not be safe.
"Google Maps may lead to impassable roads with overflowing streams, landslides, fallen trees, narrow roads, and dangerous roads where smooth movement is not possible," the post read, as reported by PTI.
Road traffic is often diverted in situations of natural disasters such as floods, rainfall etc and Google Maps will not have this information, the police said adding Google Maps may lead you through overflowing gtreams, landslides, trees uprooted, roads full of accidents.
"Don't forget to select the proper mode of travel on the map. Choose between four-wheeler, two-wheeler, bicycle, walking, and train options. Please note that a four-wheeler cannot take the bike's route," the Facebook post said.