I can see what you mean, G., and you are certainly right that the first purpose is safety, and that errors ought to be met with in a constructive way.
Still I dare you to go flying over a French nuclear power plant, on a day of perfect visibility, with no other plane in sight.
Also, staying out where we shouldn't come is import in litigation: suppose you were to do a midair, and your insurer found out you were where you shouldn't be, they'll be quick to drop your claim.
So yes, we do need accurate maps firstly, AND secondly we need someone to put the blame on if errors in the map bring us in trouble.
[edited for better wording]
Last edited by Jan Olieslagers; 10th July 2014 at 08:19.