While it has been a few weeks since Mud Fest 3.2.23 occurred (3/2), we have found that posting the initial results between Siri, Alexa and other Artificial Intelligence navigational aids may be of use for those who continue to make decisions solely based on this technology! Well, the pictures probably speak more than any write up about the situation can express – but in short, most of these disabled vehicles are a result of an “alternate route” suggested by the Artificial Intelligence navigational technology. Although the Artificial Intelligence suggestions clearly were all correct with an actual route (the road actually exists and is travelable by most vehicles when it is dry), everyone one of them were unable to comprehend “Mother Nature” and her affects on dirt roads adding in a combination of melting snow, melting ice and just run off from the rain waters of the storm. After parts of Interstate 40 were shut down, many motorists entrusted their Artificial Intelligence devices and made decisions based on their suggestions. What these motorists did not know, is that this decision was the beginning of a series of events that would complicate their plans significantly.

The day before (3/1), a significant storm had impacted the area causing a number of roads to close (that’s actually pretty common during the winter months) in Mohave County – as well as other counties east of here. Unbeknownst to the motorists, they did not know that their Artificial Intelligence counterpart was unable to take into consideration the capability of the vehicle they were driving, the current weather conditions (and its affect on the suggested roadways), the actual driver’s own ability to navigate hazards, and the amount of potential supplies carried in the vehicle (that extra water, blankets, jackets, food, cell phone charger, etc). And so they detour and go… into the mud, snow, ice, flooded roads… until they could go no more.

Enter Search and Rescue (along with Mohave County Roads Department and a number of good Samaritans)! The day after the storm (3/2), the amount of calls for help inundated the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office for motorists particularly on Hackberry Road, between Highway 93 (I-40) and Route 66 (near Hackberry). Sedans, SUVs, minivans, trucks, semi-trucks, trailers, RVs – they were all out there having a bad night and a bad day. Some of them had plans and were very upset that their Artificial Intelligence device would give them such poor information! Vehicles were completely blocking roadway travel at Milepost 11 and Milepost 12. Some vehicles (and occupants) had been there since the day before. Search teams cleared the entire road to make sure no one had been missed and brought those back to town that wanted to go. Some wanted to stay with their vehicles, while no timeframe was available for how long they may have been out there. Attempts were made to move the blocking vehicles to allow emergency vehicles and the Road Department access – but between the amount of mud and the extent the vehicles had become one with the mud – success was not achieved and postponed until the road conditions could freeze. Within a few days, all vehicles had cleared the area and Hackberry Road became passable again.

While technology can be awesome – we certainly use it with many of our rescues – take heed in the advice and look around you when you proceed. If you encounter something (like mud or a flooded roadway), maybe the better thing to do is to turn around! Be safe out there!