this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2024
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Yeah, but if you start labeling neighborhoods as “bad” on a mapping program you have a different set of problems.
People need to be aware of their surroundings and not cluelessly follow programs like this.
I don't think it is simply "huh this place looks sketch". Not sure if you read the article.
The thing is, the criminals knew that Google routes rental cars along a typical route and so they ambush tourists violently along that route. For all I know the route may look fine.
Anyway, you don't have to label neighborhoods. Just have the app route them differently.......
....But wouldn't the criminals catch onto that before long so that the new route becomes the ambush zone?
Maybe there is a solution like randomly choosing a particular path at different hours but the fewer alternate routes the less effective that will be. Criminals could simply stake out one route and wait a little longer before a victim passes by.
But is this really a mapping company's problem to solve? Is the map app responsible for traveler security? What if you ask to be routed into or through a war zone (e.g. somewhere in Ukraine). Does the map app refuse? Warn you? Or what?
What if someone gets a paper map? Is the map maker responsible? How about the rental car employees?
Where does the responsibility of the tourist begin and end here?
My point was the that labeling certain areas as “bad” can create problems, even if it’s an area known for carjacking tourists. What defines a “bad” area? Petty theft? Drug arrests? Violent crime? Homelessness? How much crime does it take to be labeled “bad”? Unfortunately a lot of those areas are tied to poverty, and all too often poverty is tied to minorities. So say we start labeling areas, now traffic is reduced and maybe it even starts impacting local businesses because people are now checking the box that says “avoid bad areas” and routes people around a place that maybe got drive thru traffic at the coffee shops or gas stations.
You can easily see how difficult this is a policy to make. I’m not dismissing the problems these people encountered, but implementing this in popular guidance apps isn’t going to be easy.
Maybe instead of "I got a burger that tasted like any other McDonald's burger" it could say "the carjackers were scarier than I could ever have imagined"? Seriously, it doesn't have to label it as bad, it just has to have a warning sign, list risky activity in the area, and have alternate routes. Sucks if you're the marijuana guy and your corner gets outed, but not so bad if the carjacker ambush zone gets highlighted.
I mean, if they were targeting routes that Google maps used how is it googles fault?
They will simply target the next route Google changes it to.
And what exactly would you have done differently? At what point would you have started to ignore the GPS directions and randomly drive around in an area you know nothing about?
This isn't the same as driving off a cliff or the wrong direction on a one-way road, these people were targeted by experienced criminals. I'm not saying it's Google's fault, but maybe let's try to avoid blaming the victims of a vicious attack.
Maybe don't try to blame a map for giving you directions to a place you asked to go to.
I'm not really sure what point you're trying to make, since I very clearly wrote I also don't think this was Google's fault (even if they did stop sending people through that area a mere couple of weeks after this incident).
I also don't think it's fair to blame these people for this, and so I'm trying to understand what you would've done differently in the same situation.
I don't think anyone is unaware that South Africa is dangerous. Research on where to go and how is something everyone should do a lot of before going.
They didn't ask to go to the dangerous place, they asked for the airport and Maps took them through the dangerous place.
Assuming they're tourists, probably ask the rental car agent and hotel clerks what the best routes to are. Most locals in hospitality in my experience are happy to share their insight with you.
The problem is like the other said, people need to be on their toes in a foreign environment. It's the same with foreign nationals visiting the US, like people visiting SF accidentally ending up in the rough areas of Oakland, or visiting tourist destinations in Mexico. At some point, personal responsibility needs to come into play, and that includes doing your homework about sketchy areas to avoid. It isn't victim blaming to ask people to think and prepare, and not go blindly wandering about.
Ask the people at the counter if there’s any place you should avoid. You’re a foreigner in an unfamiliar place in the case of this article.
If it’s your town and you realize your GpS is taking you a ghetto place you can always turn around and drive in another direction. I’d on vacation, turns out travel guide still exist. Google maps and GPs is only doing exactly what you asked it; go from A to B with the hottest time between the two points. That’s why it sometimes takes you through residential area for no apparent reason just because the algorithm calculated a 0.3min time savings.
Now the real question is: if a self driving car takes you through a bad area and you get mugged…
Ask locals before going somewhere you haven't before? They'll tell you if there are spots that are no-go zones for tourists and what to look out for.
Apparently Google stopped routing people through Nyanga a few months ago https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-11-13-google-maps-will-no-longer-direct-visitors-through-cape-town-township-after-attacks-on-motorists/