The 52-year-old was waiting at a level crossing in Pevensey, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, when the device told her to turn left.

She drove her silver Ford Fiesta on to the track, blocking two lines, a British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said.

Trains between Brighton and Hastings were delayed for about an hour after the incident at Norman's Level Crossing, Norman's Bay, at 7.30pm on Tuesday.

The BTP spokeswoman said: "A woman drove on to the railway line after following directions from a sat-nav device.

"The woman told police she turned on to the track 'because my sat-nav device told me to'."

The woman, from Dorking, Surrey, has been reported for obstructing the railway and driving without due care and attention.

"She will be summonsed to a local court in the Eastbourne area to explain her actions in due course," the spokeswoman said.

"Police are also making inquiries with the sat-nav company about the error."

Submitted on 01/19/2007

Submitted by: Jamie Elliott
Reference: www.msn.co.uk 19th jan '07

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Graham said:
Definitely Toss: Lacks Excellence
Ah, my home town of Hastings. Lived there 10 years and know the crossing well. This lady really just needs to have her license revoked. Maybe she's bright enough to take the bus in future? Doesn't sound like it though. You have to be pretty far gone to blindly follow any machine that tells you how to drive. Thanks for sharing, Jamie

James said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Personally, I like this kind of story, and unlike the last case reported (the German who trashed a construction area on the advice of his Sat-Nav), this woman could have gotten herself killed! I suppose if this keeps happening, it will become "too common", but I find myself still laughing at the visual! I'll vote to nominally keep this...!

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
For some strange reason, I like this story (aside from it having made me laugh out loud). I bow to no one in my ability to navigate with map and compass (the compass is optional), but I'd never trust a sat-nav or GPS gismo! Good story, Jamie!

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Unbelievable! A very humorous story, but I am confused at one thing. She turned onto the rail line on command. But why did she stop there? Thanks for the story, Jamie.

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