Google Maps Finally Tracking Speed Limits, Speed Traps
The next time you use Google Maps to plan a road trip, you might notice some changes. Maps is now providing live updates on posted speed limits across the United States. Previously, this feature was only available in San Francisco. However, other parts of the country started seeing the feature crop up late last week as Google updated local servers.
This author saw changes on the app as early as January 18th. Travelling a bit too far from major metropolitan hubs or major highways has proven coverage has not yet gone nationwide. Google says it hopes to soon remedy that by implementing the service across the United States, United Kingdom, and select parts of mainland Europe. Of course, if you don’t want to wait, Waze (also owned by Google) has had this feature available for years, and remains the more robust navigation platform.
With the new speed limit feature, drivers using Google Maps will see the posted speed limit of the road they’re driving on appear in the lower left side of the app — regardless of if they’re using Android Auto or not. Speed traps are highlighted by a small camera icon and shown clearly on the map. AndroidPolice, which announced the update before Google had the chance, also cites reports that Maps will provide an audible warning for drivers approaching a speed trap, though we didn’t notice this while maintaining the posted limit and found the service to be rather inconsistent. The app may only warn you if it thinks you’re coming in too hot.
Google has been on a quiet quest to make Maps as good as Waze, so expect more shared features to debut over the coming months. As the easiest-to-use popular navigation interface, any updates to Google Maps are welcome. However, for those still looking to get the most up to date information about the surrounding area, Waze is likely to remain the superior tool for some time.
[Image: Google]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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My rental car in England last September had this feature. It's incredibly handy when you're not a local.
Another Waze-ism is I've seen it get tripped up at a border crossing when there is more than one way to get across, like a bridge and a tunnel. When you get close it sometimes changes its mind a couple times or more. I'm still a fan though. Love the real time speed traps and other hazards.