Can We Blame the GPS for Storrow Truck Accidents?
Yet another truck felt the wrath of Storrow Drive on Thursday morning. According to The Boston Globe, the too-tall truck at the Bowker Overpass was the fifth vehicle that has tried unsuccessfully to duck under a Storrow overpass this year, resulting in traffic and grief and anger.
Too-tall trucks: They are, and have been, a problem.
And because there is a problem, we need something to blame. Blaming the truckers hasn’t worked. Blaming the bridges seems futile. So let’s blame the GPS.
That’s what the truckers do.
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That’s what the state does.
(MassDOT spokesman Mike) Verseckes said many factors are to blame, including drivers unfamiliar with the area and people who depend on GPS systems that don’t take bridge clearances into account.
Yes. That’s right. Let’s blame the GPS.
Nevermind the ample warning signs—which include, among other deterrents, sensor-triggered signs telling the too-tall trucker to stop, please, just stop. That stuff’s old school. These days, it’s all about the GPS. So let’s blame it. Let’s blame the GPS.
Wait. Some GPS systems do track height clearances. And if you were a trucker…driving a tall truck…and you were going to buy a GPS…you’d buy one that takes your height into account. Right? Please say ‘right.’
Forget the GPS. Let’s blame Google Maps. First of all, not all of these accidents are from professional truckers (hello, move-in day). And besides, nobody actually uses a GPS anymore. It’s Google’s road system and we’re all just driving on it.
And indeed, a Google spokesperson confirms to Boston.com that Google Maps doesn’t track height clearances at this point. Let’s get on that now. Google, this one’s on you. Once Google tells the truckers not to drive on Storrow…that will end this hell.
Let’s blame Google.
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