Traffic chaos in Perthshire villages after Google Maps glitch
A Google Maps glitch incorrectly diverted traffic from a major road onto a narrow, single-track road in Perthshire, Scotland. The resulting congestion caused significant safety concerns and restricted local residents from leaving their homes.
Why it matters
Highlights the real-world consequences of reliance on algorithmic navigation tools and the potential for digital errors to disrupt physical infrastructure.
A Google Maps glitch has caused chaos after traffic was mistakenly diverted from the A9 to a single-track road between Dunkeld and Pitlochry.
The issue - which was first noticed on Friday - saw vehicles, including campervans, leave the trunk road and travel through the Perthshire villages of Ballinluig, Tulliemet and Guay.
On Saturday Transport Scotland posted on X on that Google Maps was falsely reporting the A9 as closed and was recommending an "inconvenient alternate route" when it remained open.
The problem now appears to be resolved but local residents said the inaccurate information left them worried and, in some cases, unable to leave their homes.
"People were just doing as Google said but the excessive speed was unbelievable," Joanne Boyne, who lives in Guay, told BBC Scotland News.
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