Inaccurate Apple Maps directions causing 'life threatening issue' for travelers, says Australian pol
Police in Victoria, Australia issued a warning to motorists on Monday, saying directions from Apple's new iOS 6 Maps app has recently caused a number of travelers to become stranded in a remote national park.
According to the police bulletin, over the past few weeks a number of rescue operations were carried out as motorists on their way to the city of Mildura became stranded in the Murray-Sunset National Park, each of which cited faulty directions from Apple's Maps app.
Due to bad cell coverage in the area, travelers walked long distances without food or water to call authorities, which in some cases took up to 24 hours to complete the rescue. While no fatalities have been reported, police are concerned that the park's lack of water and harsh temperatures could make the Maps inaccurate information a "potentially life threatening issue."
It appears the problem is the iOS Maps data for Mildura, which places the small city over 40 miles south-east of its actual location.
"Police have contacted Apple in relation to the issue and hope the matter is rectified promptly to ensure the safety of motorists travelling (sic) to Mildura," Victoria police said in a briefing posted to its website. "Anyone travelling (sic) to Mildura or other locations within Victoria should rely on other forms of mapping until this matter is rectified."
Red box represents approximate location of where motorists were being directed. | Source: Google Maps
According to the police bulletin, over the past few weeks a number of rescue operations were carried out as motorists on their way to the city of Mildura became stranded in the Murray-Sunset National Park, each of which cited faulty directions from Apple's Maps app.
Due to bad cell coverage in the area, travelers walked long distances without food or water to call authorities, which in some cases took up to 24 hours to complete the rescue. While no fatalities have been reported, police are concerned that the park's lack of water and harsh temperatures could make the Maps inaccurate information a "potentially life threatening issue."
It appears the problem is the iOS Maps data for Mildura, which places the small city over 40 miles south-east of its actual location.
"Police have contacted Apple in relation to the issue and hope the matter is rectified promptly to ensure the safety of motorists travelling (sic) to Mildura," Victoria police said in a briefing posted to its website. "Anyone travelling (sic) to Mildura or other locations within Victoria should rely on other forms of mapping until this matter is rectified."
Red box represents approximate location of where motorists were being directed. | Source: Google Maps