AUGUSTA, Maine — Augusta police issued a warning to commercial drivers after two of them were led into dangerous situations by their GPS units during Tuesday’s snowstorm.
In one instance, the driver of a tractor-trailer wound up driving the wrong way on Water Street, which police noted is a one-way street, the Augusta Police Department said in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning.
The second incident involved a commercial vehicle going down an extremely steep hill on Spruce Street, which police noted runs east-west.
“The eastbound direction which he was going in heads toward the Kennebec River,” police said. “This vehicle slid through an intersection due to the steep embankment and the operator not being familiar with the location.
“We totally understand that GPS needs to be used and can be used when safe, but in these extreme issues which we do see frequently, the driver was driving in an unsafe manner and when asked stated, ‘My GPS took me this way,’” police said. “We’re asking for caution, common sense and safety especially during bad weather events. We thank you so much, and we hope you continue to have a safe day.”