'Wrong country' sat-nav blunder

[robert.saunders]

Shoppers on a Christmas trip to France were taken to the wrong country after a satellite navigation blunder diverted their coach seven hours off course.

Instead of arriving in Lille, France, 50 members of Cheltenham and Gloucester (C&G) Social Club were taken 98 miles (157km) away to Lille, Belgium.

When they finally arrived, they had two hours to shop before the stores closed.

The detour happened during a weekend coach trip from Gloucester to Ostend, Belgium, costing staff £150.

Tim Knight, manager of Travelscope, the company which arranged the trip, said: "Part of the weekend trip was an afternoon shopping in Lille.

"Unfortunately the driver from the coach company we commissioned made a blunder on his satellite navigation."

On the trip back to their hotel, the coach driver unplugged the navigation system and, with the help of a passenger and an atlas, made it back to Ostend.

C&G spokeswoman Melinda Russell, said: "We're very sorry that our staff and their families have been let down, especially as we have enjoyed so many successful trips through the course of the year.

"Unfortunately, even the best laid plans can go awry, especially when relying on sat-nav."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7139603.stm

 

[masqueraid]

The triumph of technology over common sense

 

[Carrotchomper]

I thought Travelscope have just gone bust?

I have no faith in any driver that can't tell the difference between countries! I mean, come on- What went through his mind going through the "Welcome to Belgie" signs?

I have it all the time with delivery drivers that have Sat Nav but no A-Z. Since my flat is very new it doesn't exist in the world of Sat Nav- Which really cooks their goose! FFS use a map...

 

[robert.saunders]

I'm fascinated to see if Guido ends up in France

 

[crockers]

I thought Travelscope have just gone bust?

...

They have....

 

[mb240]

"Unfortunately, even the best laid plans can go awry, especially when relying on sat-nav."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7139603.stm

Sat nav does exactly what it says on the tin, but it's up to the user to decide what the destination is. No excuse for presuming there is only one Lille and that whatever the first one listed was the correct one. He obviously didn't even check the country, missed the Schengen border signs and didn't spot the B and white rear plates on every car instead of F and yellow plates.

 

[MBManInKen]

I'm fascinated to see if Guido ends up in France

*cough*, *cough*

 

[crockers]

I'm fascinated to see if Guido ends up in France

Or is that Paris - Texas ?

 

[robert.saunders]

*cough*, *cough*

Sounds like man-flu to me

 

[robert.saunders]

I thought Travelscope have just gone bust?

I think this story is dated before their reported downturn in fortunes. I assume not directly related however

 

[recycled]

i am sure bienvenue en belgique will well be on the road as per the change in car plates number type.
the driver is just stupid

 

[gl boy]

Sat nav does exactly what it says on the tin, but it's up to the user to decide what the destination is. No excuse for presuming there is only one Lille and that whatever the first one listed was the correct one. He obviously didn't even check the country, missed the Schengen border signs and didn't spot the B and white rear plates on every car instead of F and yellow plates.

TOTALLY AGREE and no wonder they have go bump with simple mistakes like that ...... FOOLS

 

[imadoofus]

What went through his mind going through the "Welcome to Belgie" signs?

He obviously didn't even check the country, missed the Schengen border signs and didn't spot the B and white rear plates on every car instead of F and yellow plates.

i am sure bienvenue en belgique will well be on the road as per the change in car plates number type.

Well it was a trip to Ostend, in Belgium, so presumably, the Belgian signs and number plates were not unexpected...

OT - Dutch joke: In Europe, if you fail your driving test more than four times, you have to wear red and white number plates on your car

 

[jeremytaylor]

I think this story is dated before their reported downturn in fortunes. I assume not directly related however

Actually I think Travelscope's demise and this story ARE directly related. If a 'travel company' cannot tell the difference between France and Belgium, what are they doing in business?!?

 

[MBManInKen]

OT - Dutch joke: In Europe, if you fail your driving test more than four times, you have to wear red and white number plates on your car

A bit rich given the fact that on my way back I had to test BAS in order to avoid colliding with a dutchman who seems to think there is such a thing as priority from the left in France .