Google Maps Finds Annoyance in Unauthorized Obstructions on Routes
Article:
Millions of drivers in Germany, along with parts of Belgium and the Netherlands, faced frustration and uncertainty during the Ascension Day weekend in late May 2025, as Google Maps displayed numerous false road closures on its maps. The widespread glitch, which occurred during one of the region's busiest travel periods, led to chaos on the roads, causing congestion and significant delays.
The inaccurate closures were displayed on Google Maps for several hours, showing highways as red dotted lines, even when they were actually open. The affected areas included major cities such as Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, and others in Germany. Authorities in affected regions, including Hamburg, Frankfurt, Mainz, and North Rhine-Westphalia, did not confirm these closures.
According to reports in the Bild newspaper, the false information also affected parts of the Netherlands and Belgium. Local authorities and drivers relayed that alternative navigation apps such as Apple Maps and Waze, as well as radio traffic news, showed no such closures, indicating the issue was specific to Google Maps.
The cause of the incorrect closures remains unexplained by Google. A spokesperson for the company reportedly told ntv.de that the incident is currently under investigation internally. The maps are regularly updated, although the time this takes varies, and users are encouraged to report errors or missing entries using the provided reporting tool.
This incident coincided with the ADAC (German Automobile Club)'s prediction of heavy traffic during the Ascension Day weekend, as many people took advantage of the extended break to travel. The ADAC noted that the nationwide holiday resulted in many schools being closed, leading to an influx of families embarking on short trips.
In the past, Google Maps has faced similar issues, such as showing allegedly closed highway tunnels in Thuringia at the beginning of the month. After complaints from the police, these false closures were corrected, and the incorrect traffic information was criticized for causing unnecessary detours.
As a result, drivers affected by the May 2025 incident questioned the reliability of Google Maps and sought assistance from police and traffic control centers. Google has recommended travelers check multiple sources when planning trips to avoid such incidents.
Source: ntv.de, ses/dpa
[1] Bild newspaper[2] ADAC (German Automobile Club)[3] Various local authorities, drivers, and alternative navigation apps (e.g., Apple Maps, Waze)
- The Commission has also been consulted on the following issues: the reliability of Google Maps, particularly in circumstances such as the widespread glitch that occurred during the Ascension Day weekend in 2025, which displayed false road closures on Google Maps, affecting millions of drivers in Germany, parts of Belgium, and the Netherlands.
- While the cause of the incorrect closures remains unexplained, discussions with the Commission may involve the topic of technology, specifically addressing gadgets like smartphones and applications such as Google Maps, which play a significant role in navigation and traffic information.
