Waze Navigation & Traffic App
GOOD, BAD, HERE TO STAY?
Most drivers now use a GPS system when they travel on Louisiana roads. If you have a smartphone, you probably use Google Maps or the Apple app. You may have heard about the Waze app, but why learn a new system when the one you have works fine?
It may not be one you use often, but you should know about the pros and cons of the app.
In Louisiana, Waze reports that New Orleans has more than 53,000 monthly active users; Baton Rouge has more than 35,000 users. After Hurricane Harvey, Waze helped many people in Louisiana and Texas to find carpool rides to and from work.
Why is it so popular and how does it work?
The Waze app is a free navigation and maps app, but it is different from the others. The Waze is “community-based”, and for the car only. Drivers connect with each other about road conditions in “real- time”. They share alerts about traffic problems, accidents, roadblocks, etc., as they happen. Waze has instant information as you travel, and the point of the app is to get you on your way faster. The app will find different routes, often off the highways and on back roads.
Waze users can contribute traffic information anonymously, making it easy to share updates on road conditions. They like being part of this network, to alert other drivers, as well as get instant data for their own travel. The app can also be customized with many different features, so it becomes fun to use.
Could the Waze app lead to more distracted driving?
It is like social media, for many users are interacting and giving updates on traffic. We know that texting while driving is very dangerous, so is this the same thing? We all use navigation systems, but staying with a safer Google Maps as you drive, and using the Waze app while riding makes a lot of sense.
Google Maps is the more basic navigation tool and covers more areas with its map system. It is famous for getting you from one place to another, whether you drive, walk or ride a bike. It also provides you with the quickest route to your destination, using major roads.
The Waze app is not only popular as a traffic aid, though. It is being taken seriously because of the real time data it provides, and is becoming part of a larger, more valuable system. Interesting facts:
- Google bought Waze in 2013, and since then, they are putting more of the Waze traffic alerts on to Google Maps.
- Waze has formed the Waze Connected Citizens Program to partner with government agencies to make this traffic information even more widely available.
- In 2016, Louisiana DOTD and Baton Rouge City-Parish became partners in the Waze program.They joined 65 other communities to make use of data sharing of public traffic information. Using the Waze data streams from its users, the DOTD and Baton Rouge can provide accurate information on road conditions. They have put the data into the traffic management systems and DOTD 511la.org site.
Distracted Driving Accidents
The distracted driving issue still remains with use of this app. It cannot be ignored. If the focus is on your phone whether texting, talking, or using a navigation system, it takes your attention away from the road. It is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Louisiana.
If you have been involved in a car accident involving distracted driving, a Louisiana personal injury lawyer can advise you of your rights. Clay Burgess is an experienced Louisiana car accident attorney. He will provide a free consultation to discuss your claim. If negligence, distracted driving or another reason caused the accident, we can help you get compensation.
