[OSM-talk] Sat nav driver's car hit by train

[Gregory/LastGrape]

> Robert Hart wrote:
>   
>>> If the navigation software does not handle obstructions then the 
>>> suppliers
>>> SHOULD be liable in some way!
>>>       
>> So when it becomes possible to put OSM on a SatNav, you'd like us all
>> to get sued every time this happens?
>>     
>
> Certainly if roads are flagged as public and passable, then they should be. If 
> there are gated crossings they should be shown, or the road should be broken 
> at that point so that any routing software will ignore it. Simply putting in 
> roads without taking a little care should be avoided.
>   
The road was a road, and although it has a gate, it is still public and 
passable. Someone might of been wanting navigation to the farms that 
this road is intended to serve. The road could be marked that it has a 
level crossing, but it should not be broken as such.
This does raise a question for OSM I think...
Should there be some sort of tag that could be read by route planning 
programs. Either a 'do not make route through here', or 'only use this 
road for a route that ends within x miles of this point' type thing, 
obviously needs to be thought out better.
Another tag could be "warning=", for notes that a program can display 
quite prominently (e.g. audio read out, or hazard sign with mouse over 
showing details).
This would be good for other news stories I've heard, such as the first 
road sign saying do not follow SatNav (was on a narrow country lane that 
lorries got stuck down).
Gregory.