We have come across several videos in the past where people on road trips have faced issues with navigation apps and found themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere. We have also seen incidents of drunk driving causing problems for other road users. In most cases, they are reported as two different incidents. However, we recently came across a report from Tamil Nadu where a young man from Chennai drove his car onto a beach after following navigation instructions on Google Maps in a drunk state.
The incident happened on the Sothikuppam coast in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The young man was with a group in his Mahindra XUV500. He was following a navigation app for directions in the region. In the early hours of 11 September 2025, the driver, while following Google Maps, took a wrong turn and ended up on the beach. As it was too dark and the driver and occupants were drunk, they probably didn’t realise they were on the beach and drove straight into the sea.
The car had five occupants, including two women. The group was travelling from Cuddalore Port to Parangipettai in the SUV. As soon as the car entered the water, the occupants realised their mistake and escaped. However, the car was already stuck in the sea, and they were unable to drive it out.
When the local fishermen came to know about it, they helped pull the SUV out. The lower half of the XUV500 was completely submerged in the sea. With the help of a tractor, which they usually use to push or pull boats, the locals managed to pull the car out.
In the video, you can see the tractor actually pulling the XUV500 out of the sea. The front bumper of the SUV is completely missing. We assume it might have been damaged by the waves, which are generally rough at night.
The water would have easily entered the engine and interior of the car, and we don’t think the car is in working condition anymore. The best thing to do in such cases is not to start the car. Instead, take it to an authorised workshop, get the vehicle inspected, clean all the parts, and then attempt to start it. If the engine is hydrolocked, it will lead to expensive and time-consuming repair work.
The cops were also informed about the incident, and they arrived at the spot. Reports mention that the group was in an inebriated state, but they were let off with a warning. Driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is an offence almost everywhere in the world. Ideally, the cops should have taken strict action against the driver so that he doesn’t repeat the same mistake.
In this case, the driver was lucky he didn’t crash into another vehicle or road user. He could have easily caused a serious accident because of alcohol. This poses a risk not only to themselves but also to other road users. People often become overconfident after drinking, which leads to such accidents. If you have had a drink, leave your vehicle behind or hire a driver.