Inattention, GPS unit blamed for fatal crash - Apr. 23, 2010
John Gardner/Courier file
GPS units may not recognize newer roads in the area due to outdated maps.
BY JOHN GARDNER
john@stcroixcourier.ca
WAWEIG – A combination of driver inattention and reliance on outdated GPS information are suspected factors in a fatal collision at the intersection of highways 127 and 170 on Monday.
Elizabeth Isenor, 78, of Wallace, Nova Scotia died at the scene after the car she was a passenger in struck transport truck.
Isenor and her husband Kendall Isenor, also 78, were travelling east on Highway 170 when Mr. Isenor went through a stop sign striking the trailer portion of the transport truck which was heading north on Highway 127.
“There was a GPS involved,” said Const. Mark Walsh.
Walsh suggested that some GPS maps are outdated, with no updates available, or updates not yet installed.
“When you use a GPS it is no excuse for what a driver’s responsibility is behind the wheel.”
While updates for the GPS systems are needed, many maps, including Garmin’s latest map update and the popular online maps from Google have not been updated to include some sections of Highway 1 or related intersection upgrades.
“That is the issue with these devices. How relevant or current is the data in them?” said Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesperson Andrew Holland.
The DOT regis tered the information on the highway realignment with the registry office on January 2, 2009. From that time on it has been available to the manufacturers of GPS units, through Service New Brunswick.
Although the intersection underwent numerous traffic pattern changes during construction of the new four-lane highway, Monday’s collision was only the third incident at the scene since it became the terminus for Highway 170.
Holland said the department recorded an accident in March of 2009, which involved two vehicles, both of which were travelling on Highway 127.
In July of 2009, a vehicle travelling east on 170 ran a stop sign, much the same as Monday’s accident, only the injuries were minor in that case.
“This has not been an area prone to collisions.”
Senior staff of the DOT were on the scene on Tuesday, investigating what steps are available to make the area safer for motorists.
“Any time there is a major accident at a certain intersection or interchange we automatically look at what is there currently in terms of signage, or stop signs, or lighting or anything like that to see if there is anything that can be done to modify or enhance what is there.”
The DOT will meet next week with the regional coroner for further discussion.
“Anything we can do to make that location a little safer we will certainly look at.”
The province has no control over the manufacturers of GPS devices, or the maps and software they provide, Holland said.
“That is a non-issue,” he said, noting the government does not sell and is not responsible for GPS units or their maps. “We produce our own highway maps. Industry is responsible for their product and services.”
The key, he said, is that drivers must be aware of their surroundings at all times.
“At the end of the day it is up to motorist to know where they are. They have to be satisfied they know where they are going.”
Holland cited his own experience with a GPS on a trip to Boston where the GPS led him astray twice, including advising him to go down a one-way street.
The investigation is continuing.
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