Truck driver takes own life after BeiDou, the Chinese version of GPS, failed and resulted in a hefty police fine
- China has heavily promoted its BeiDou alternative to the GPS system, mandating it be installed in millions of trucks, boats, and buses
- Users have reported constant problems, but claim they are given hefty fines for glitches
Chinese authorities are investigating after a truck driver took his own life after he was allegedly fined 2,000 yuan (US$305) because his satellite navigation had become disconnected.
The truck driver, surnamed Jin, killed himself on Monday afternoon during a routine transport check-in at Tangshan, Hebei province, the local government said on Weibo on Tuesday. The local police and medics had rushed to the scene, but the driver passed away in hospital.
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He earlier sent a suicide note in a WeChat group for drivers, saying: “The checkpoint said my BeiDou was disconnected, fining me 2,000 yuan, but how was a driver supposed to know? I don’t think I can live long, so I’ll use my death as a wake-up call for authorities.”
He also called his son and told him: “Take care of your grandmother and your two sisters”, The Beijing News reported.
Jin’s son told the newspaper that he received a phone call from the police and then saw his father in a coma at a nearby hospital. He said the family was not well-to-do and could not cope with a heavy fine.
The local government said it would conduct an investigation.