Google Maps is taking a page from Waze by integrating incident reports directly into its navigation experience.
Users can now receive prompts to confirm road conditions, such as accidents or police presence while navigating. This feature, part of Google’s ongoing effort to cross-pollinate data between its two apps, was first announced in July. The integration brings Waze-sourced details like road closures, construction zones, speed cameras, and police reports into Google Maps.
Over the recent holiday weekend, a Reddit user shared a screenshot showcasing the new feature in action. The image displayed an active navigation screen with a prompt reading, “Police reported ahead. Are they still there?” Users can respond with “Yes” or “No,” helping to keep the reports up-to-date. The screenshot, posted by Reddit user Truckin_18, illustrates how seamlessly the feature integrates into Maps’ existing interface.
This marks the first confirmed sighting of the feature in the wild, though it’s unlikely to be the last. Google has been working to merge the strengths of Maps and Waze while keeping the apps distinct. Can Comertoglu, a Google project manager, emphasized that despite the integration, the two apps would continue to operate independently. This decision respects the preferences of Waze’s dedicated community of over 500,000 contributors, many of whom value Waze’s unique features over those of Google Maps—and vice versa.
With this update, Google Maps is taking a more community-driven approach, leaning on real-time feedback to improve its navigation experience. Whether you’re a Maps loyalist or a Waze enthusiast, it seems the gap between the two is narrowing.
