Watch for speed bumps! New Waze update alerts drivers to more road hazards

STATEN ISLAND, New York: Google’s Waze app has released new updates that provide users with information about speed bumps and help them avoid tickets during their commute. The app has undergone a redesign of its reporting system, making it easier for drivers to provide real-time insights about road conditions.

These updates include alerts for speed bumps and sharp curves on iPhones, with an upcoming release for Android expected in the near future. While the official announcement is yet to be made, some users have already seen notifications upon launching the app, indicating the addition of these new features.

A redesigned reporting menu now includes a hazard icon, initiating a more streamlined and intuitive reporting process for users, asking them, “What do you see?”

These changes not only enhance the visual appearance of the app but also make it easier for users to contribute real-time data about road conditions more efficiently.

The new icons for sharp curves and speed bumps will be displayed on the map during navigation, and Waze is also making subtle refinements to mobile devices such as the reporting button.

Within the new reporting menu, users can report a range of road conditions such as traffic, crashes, police activity, bad weather, blocked lanes, road closures, and more. They can also report gas prices or request roadside assistance from other travelers. Additionally, the latest update includes a bug fix to ensure accurate depiction of railroad crossings.

The updated user interface now provides more specific choices for each category and automatically sends the report after a few seconds without needing additional input, making the reporting process more efficient.

However, a couple of options have been removed, impacting the comprehensiveness of reported incidents. The “hazard” section no longer includes the option to report roadkill, and the dedicated choice for a car stopped in the middle of the road has been omitted.

The company is actively testing and improving these features and aims to make them more widely available once reliability is ensured. The specific Waze version linked to the speed bump and sharp curve support is not clarified, and inquiries have been made to Waze for further details.

While the update is currently being rolled out on both Android and iOS platforms, there are reports that these changes may not be uniformly visible in Android Auto or CarPlay for all users.

Waze users are encouraged to share their experiences and insights regarding the new options, fostering a collective understanding of the evolving features within the navigation app. – Staten Island Advance, N.Y./Tribune News Service