The utility of navigational services or GPS over the mobile medium is gaining popularity worldwide. But in an instance requiring consumer attention to the fact that such services or rather the use of such services need to be done with a basic element of caution, a driver in UK nearly gave up his life after following directions sent by the navigational device.

43-year old Robert Jones was following instructions over a navigational device when the device instructed that the narrow, step path he was driving in Todmorden, West Yorkshire was a road. It was in fact a footpath. The incident happened on March 22. 

The issue came to light as a UK court sentenced Robert guilty of driving without due care and attention. He also fined him £370 and six points on his licence. He has to additionally pay £500 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

"Mr Jones slavishly continued to follow the satnav system to the point where his eyes and his brain must have been telling him otherwise,” said prosecutor, Waseem Raja.

Robert is a driver by profession.