A technical issue with Google Maps mistakenly identified a major road in Scotland as closed, causing traffic chaos as drivers were diverted onto a single-track country lane. The app directed motorists off the A9, a primary trunk road, and onto the unclassified 163 road in Perthshire, leading to congestion in the villages of Ballinluig, Tulliemet, and Guay.
Traffic Scotland intervened, urging drivers to disregard their satellite navigation systems and remain on the A9. A spokesperson stated that Google Maps was falsely reporting the A9 between Dunkeld and Pitlochry as closed, recommending an "inconvenient alternate route." The A9 was confirmed to be open, though undergoing roadworks.
Residents observed campervans, a coach, and cars with trailers attempting to navigate the narrow U163 road, which lacks passing places and is intended for local access only. Journeys that typically take minutes were extended to nearly an hour due to the unexpected traffic volume. Google Maps utilizes complex algorithms and anonymized user data to suggest the fastest routes, incorporating information on roadworks and closures.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the company investigated and resolved the technical issue, which had temporarily displayed inaccurate road closures on the map. The incorrect information has since been removed.