It’s becoming abundantly clear that it would be unwise indeed to throw out paper maps just yet. Canadian newspaper the Toronto Star reports that a pair of car thieves drove straight into the hands of the Mounties after blindly following satnav directions in their stolen 4x4. The shortest route crossed out of Canada, into the US, and back again. And of course it turned out to be a shortcut to the slammer as their stolen wheels were detected at the border. Meanwhile, it turns out that the directions on offer from Google Maps are just as suspect. Ask for a route from, say, London to New York and it doesn’t tell you to proceed to Heathrow and hop on a 747, but suggests you take the Channel Tunnel to France, drive to Le Havre, and then:
"Take the ramp onto Quai Frissard [0.6 mi, 2 mins]; At the roundabout, take the 4th exit [0.6 mi,
2 mins]; Swim across the Atlantic Ocean [3,462 mi, 29 days]..."

03 Apr 2007