Scenario:
John wanted to go to Niagara Falls for the first time with his family. He punched in the location on his GPS. As he was driving, he didn't notice that he had missed one turn. Thus, the GPS recalculated the route to another route, but he missed it again. He was then redirected to another route that requires him to pass through small towns. John panicked because he saw no signs of directions going to Niagara Falls. They eventually got back on the freeway and started seeing directions to Niagara Falls. But as they continued, John started seeing directions leading to the US. He panicked, as the signs stated that the US border is close by. After that he exited the first exit available.
Questions:
1. What would have happened to John if he didn't make the turn and reach the border? (P.S. They didn't have any passports on them)
2. Would John and his family get arrested, even though it was an accident?
3. Did John's panicking cause him to not think straight?
Answers & Comments
1.) Nothing....would happen to John and family if they did not reach the friendly border, except to be 'lost' in their car.
2.) The US-Canadian border is one of the 'friendliest/ trusted on earth, no one gets 'arrested' unless your a wanted criminal or wanted terrorist.
3.) You don't need 'passports' to go between the northern US states like MI, OH, NY and the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec....the minimum is 'enhanced' drivers licenses.
4.) For example between Detroit MI and Windsor Ontario...about 300,000 Americans and Canadians pass daily and nightly going to and coming home from work.
5.) Maybe his 'panicking' caused him not to think clearly, but then the guards just turn you back from the border.
There is a turnaround lane at the border crossing for the people who accidentally forgot something.
That said, you do not, IMO, want to go thru the checkpoint without a passport. A friend of mine did this once and he got on the permanent Canadian naughty list. He's traveled to Canada many times since and is always subjected to an unnecessarily thorough inspection routine. After the fourth or fifth time, he asked if it was in any way related to his forgotten password years ago and was told "quite possibly."
You can't get arrested for trying to cross a border without a visa/passport, unless you've got a warrant out for your arrest of course.
And yeah, being under stress screws you up. Especially if you're dealing with all of that and trying to safely navigate a vehicle in traffic.
It's not a crime to cross the Canadian border without a passport. People in towns straddling the border do it every day. It's just illegal to STAY or to fail to report to the nearest customs and border patrol unit.
Worse case - They are denied entry into the US, and have to turn around and leave.
1/ what is the point in programming a GPS unit if you are not going to pay attention to it?
2/ many many many times people get in trouble following their GPS units because they fail to read the manual and fail to program it correctly
they do have the option of omitting back roads that may not be maintained in winter etc etc
they can also be programmed to select a route based on Minimal time in transit or the shortest driving distance
3/ in many situations the GPS data will not be up to date
if the road is closed because it is washed out or a bridge has collapsed don't follow the GPS there
just look at a damn map instead of relying on GPS
google maps provincial highways map etc etc etc
select a route and have your partner sitting in the front seat follow the route giving notice of turns as you approach them
John and his family would be arrested and executed as Canadian syps.