Italian Town Bans Google Maps After Tourists Got Lost Too Many Times

Salvatore Corrias, the mayor of Baunei town said that last year, the town’s fire department and rescue teams were called 144 times by tourists to ask for help after they got lost following directions of Google Maps.

People coming here often use GPS to reach beautiful hidden beaches around Baunei. But with the help of Google Maps, most of these tourists follow the wrong direction.

To prevent this from happening again, the local police have put up warning signs which read, “Do not follow the directions of Google Maps.”

Baunei is on Sardinia island and is well-known among tourists for its mountainous scenery. But tourists who drove, following Google Maps’ directions, often found themselves on a trail just for hikers and it’s not possible to go back.

The most recent incident involved a couple who was on vacation. But eventually, they needed to call emergency service to help bring their Porche which was stuck on a rough mountain path.

The rescue service is sponsored by the local community. Therefore, trapped tourists do not have to pay for their rescue. However, the increase in the number of incidents is seriously affecting the local budget.

The situation has got worse to the point that the Baunei authorities are planning on banning the use of Google Maps.

They have already informed Google about the problem caused by its application. However, until now, Google hasn’t made any response.

Meanwhile, the town is putting up more signs and starts a campaign on social media to warn people not to use Google Maps when they are in town.