GPS leads more than 20 drivers to get stuck in the snow in Eastern Oregon

(DECEMBER 4, 2024) Winter is almost here, and there is already snow in some parts of Oregon. In fact, on November 20, more than 20 vehicles became stuck in the snow in Union County.

There were road closures and delays on Interstate 84. So drivers used their GPS to try to find a way around the problem. However, the GPS led them to a dangerous gravel road. The road is not cleared of snow in the winter.

“GPS maps don’t differentiate between winter and summer routes and will tell people to take routes that could be a problem,” said Nick Vora. He's the county's emergency manager and search-and-rescue coordinator. “My advice to people is to treat GPS directions like advice from a stranger — be cautious.”

The county brought in a snow plow. Crews worked for almost two hours to help about 50 people get back to the main road.

“This incident serves as an important reminder of the need to carefully evaluate, and often not follow, GPS-provided directions, especially in winter months,” Union County rescue officials said in a statement. “The interstate and highways are the best routes through our region during winter conditions, and if they are closed due to weather, or weather-related crashes, it is almost certainly ill-advised and very dangerous to attempt alternate travel routes.”