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Obedient motorist crashes on satnav command
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070116/od_nm/germany_satnav_dc ^ | Tue Jan 16, 9:02 AM ET

Posted on 01/16/2007 2:42:03 PM PST by BenLurkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - A 46-year-old German motorist driving along a busy road suddenly veered to the left and ended up stuck on a railway track -- because his satellite navigation system told him to, police said Sunday.

The motorist was heading into the north German city of Bremen "when the friendly voice from his satnav told him to turn left," a spokesman said.

"He did what he was ordered to do and turned his Audi left up over the curb and onto the track of a local streetcar line. He tried to back up off the track but got completely stuck."

The police spokesman said about a dozen trams were held up until a tow truck arrived to clear the car off the track.

Several German motorists have crashed their cars in recent months, later telling police they were only obeying orders from their satnavs.


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: fustercluck
"Just following orders..."
1 posted on 01/16/2007 2:42:03 PM PST by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

German has a reputation for being the perfect language for issuing orders. If someone shouted, "Turn left!" at me in German, I'd probably obey before thinking, too. (Fortunately, I don't understand German.)


2 posted on 01/16/2007 2:48:13 PM PST by rbookward (When 900 years old you are, type as well you will not!)
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To: BenLurkin

Truck drivers following nav directions to the Do It Best warehouse down the street from my job always end up at my gatehouse.
Seems the system they use has a database, and it is messed up 'a little'.
Also happens for drivers heading to Overnite, and Home Depot warehouses in the same area.


3 posted on 01/16/2007 2:50:21 PM PST by Darksheare (Hey, you're curious reader #[an error occurred while processing this directive] to reach the end.)
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To: BenLurkin
they were only obeying orders

The Germans did transcend 200 years ago. No other nationality can claim that.

4 posted on 01/16/2007 2:52:07 PM PST by RightWhale
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To: BenLurkin

"Ve have vays of makingk you turn!


5 posted on 01/16/2007 2:53:02 PM PST by MarineBrat (My wife and I took an AIDS vaccination that the Church offers.)
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To: rbookward

Drehen Sie sich nach links! (Say it as if you're Sgt. Schultz...)

(Loosely translated that means, "Do the opposite of turning right!") ;)


6 posted on 01/16/2007 2:57:20 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: BenLurkin

When using the "Always Lost System" while vacationing in DC, the silly lady tried to get us to go into the Potomac.

Guess we are smarter than German folk, cause we did not listen.


7 posted on 01/16/2007 2:58:08 PM PST by TheMom (Dix, TexasCowboy and Flyer all now live in the next best place to Texas . . . Heaven!)
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To: BenLurkin

According to Mark Steyn one of those orders includes men sitting down to take a leak. Sheesh..


8 posted on 01/16/2007 3:00:16 PM PST by twntaipan (If you haven't done so, you NEED to read Mark Steyn's book "America Alone")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Drehen Sie sich nach links!

DOH! Now I'm stuck in a snow-drift! Thanks a lot!!!

9 posted on 01/16/2007 3:17:27 PM PST by rbookward (When 900 years old you are, type as well you will not!)
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To: rbookward
ROFLMAO!

What are you doing Freeping while driving! I'm making a Citizen's Arrest!

10 posted on 01/16/2007 3:18:56 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Well, I drive from the back seat, you see? That way when I do something stupid...


11 posted on 01/16/2007 3:26:17 PM PST by rbookward (When 900 years old you are, type as well you will not!)
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To: BenLurkin

It pays to be a little bit smarter than the gps.


12 posted on 01/16/2007 3:33:38 PM PST by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: twntaipan
This would be a good t-shirt for someone like John Kerry to wear...
13 posted on 01/16/2007 3:48:54 PM PST by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

LOL!

I read this yesterday on another site and was actually trying to figure out how to post it, but being challenged in that department, I thank you for posting it!


14 posted on 01/16/2007 5:03:34 PM PST by Theresawithanh (Well, lah-tee-freaking-dah!!!)
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To: Theresawithanh

'Turn left (crash) in 50 feet.' - Progressive


15 posted on 01/16/2007 5:06:29 PM PST by txhurl
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To: BenLurkin; martin_fierro; pissant
I won't start a FusterCluck ping list. I won't. I won't do it. Still the best d- keyword on FR though.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

16 posted on 01/16/2007 7:55:45 PM PST by SunkenCiv ("In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, they're not." -- John Rummel)
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To: SunkenCiv

We have eyeballs and reflexes and a brain for good reasons. And it's not to be able to buy technocrap just "because it's there" Evolutional Theory in Action?


17 posted on 01/17/2007 12:02:03 AM PST by Reptillycus
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To: Reptillycus

I just have to wonder about the recently announced plan for a Japanese vehicle that can drive itself home...


18 posted on 01/17/2007 8:52:43 AM PST by SunkenCiv ("In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, they're not." -- John Rummel)
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