Google Maps gives dangerous U-turn instructions on Polish expressway S1
Google Maps reportedly directed drivers to make illegal U-turns on Poland's S1 expressway near the Węgierska Górka bypass. The road authority GDDKiA documented four such incidents over nine months and identified the navigation app as the source of the dangerous instructions, though authorities emphasized drivers remain responsible for following traffic laws.
What happened
In nine months from opening, GDDKiA documented four cases where drivers made U-turns or drove against traffic near tunnels on the Węgierska Górka bypass of expressway S1 in Poland.
GDDKiA's analysis identified Google Maps as the source of the dangerous instructions. Drivers approaching from Bielska-Białej who missed exits at Węgierska Górka or Przybędzy received app suggestions to make U-turns on the expressway. If they ignored the first instruction and continued, Google Maps suggested another U-turn directly before the tunnels.
Reported impact
The dangerous U-turn instructions created life-threatening situations for drivers who followed them and other expressway users.
Governance controls
GDDKiA emphasized that navigation app errors do not excuse violation of traffic laws and that drivers must follow road markings and regulations regardless of app instructions.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.