Google Maps lets you report speed cameras and accidents just like Waze

In June 2018, we informed you that Mountain View is planning a feature that will allow Google Maps to find speed cameras and speed controls, information obtained by examining the source code of the app’s APK file. Well, this option is now rolling out: several users claim it’s already available at home with screenshots to support (example above).

Google Maps mimics Waze with speed camera and accident reporting

Currently, the feature is only enabled in the app’s browsing mode. This leaves the possibility of reporting, and alerts you if other users report something disturbing during your journey, such as cruise control or an accident. Google Maps started reporting crashes during a series of tests a few months ago.

Over time, the application becomes more and more complete. Google Maps lets you share your location and route live now; Perfect when behind the wheel or for multi-vehicle trips when someone close to you needs to know where you are. And as cleaner vehicles have to slowly impose themselves on the market, Google Maps is starting to provide the location of charging stations for Tesla electric cars. Not to mention the regular interface changes that should make the app more practical to use.

For now, only a small percentage of users seem to be able to access this feature. As always, Google is slowly getting there to test the tool before rolling it out to more people. It is not yet clear whether apps like Google Maps, Waze and Coyote will be made available in France, where they have to silence certain police controls, particularly in the context of terrorism and anti-crime operations. It is possible for Mountain View to offer an alternative in France by allowing it to be reported. “danger zones” or the equivalent as in some competitors to indirectly warn of the presence of speed cameras or speed controls.