Did you know that over 1 billion people around the world use Google Maps every month to get to the places they need to go? Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze have revolutionized the way we travel by taking the guesswork out of getting from Point A to Point B. What’s more, these platforms have gotten some major upgrades in recent years and are now able to offer drivers real-time updates and data about crashes, traffic jams and law enforcement speed traps.
While these advancements are a win for drivers, they’ve sparked concern among law enforcement agencies, particularly regarding features that pinpoint police locations. It’s easy to understand why so many drivers appreciate these kinds of real-time updates, but is it possible that these features have gone a bridge too far by tipping off commuters to upcoming speed traps? Let’s explore the pros and cons of Google Maps’ latest feature set and discuss how the app’s capabilities may impact the safety of our roads.
Navigation apps: Taking technology to the streets
Back in the day, there was more or less no way of knowing ahead of time whether you would encounter a mind-boggling traffic jam or tire-popping hazard on your daily commute. Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze, however, have changed the game by providing drivers with real-time updates about potential headaches on their routes.
Supporters argue that these features benefit drivers and make roads safer by giving commuters ample time to react and respond to potential hazards. For example, you may get an alert from Google Maps that you are about to approach a stalled vehicle on the interstate, giving you more time to change lanes and avoid a potential collision. Similarly, you may receive an alert about a hazard in the roadway long before you actually encounter it, so you are able to plan accordingly and change routes if necessary.
However, the conversation gets a little more complicated when we start talking about the police activity alerts offered by these apps. Google Maps and Waze allow users to report sightings of police officers and vehicles, thus allowing drivers to check their speed prior to passing through a potential speed trap. Many app users are grateful for these features because, in some cases, they allow them to avoid being stopped by police and receiving costly traffic tickets.
What does law enforcement have to say?
The transparency offered by Google Maps and Waze is all well and good for most drivers, but not everyone sees these features as harmless. Law enforcement agencies, particularly those running DUI checkpoints, have grown increasingly concerned over the last few years that these applications are undermining their efforts to enforce the law.
Not only do apps like Google Maps give drivers a heads-up about potential hazards or speed traps, but they can also tip off drunk drivers about imminent DUI checkpoints. This functionality may empower drivers who are under the influence to avoid sobriety checkpoints by taking alternate routes where they will continue to pose a danger to the safety of others. While these apps may not specifically alert drivers to “speed traps” or “sobriety checkpoints,” they do broadly notify drivers when law enforcement officers have been spotted in an area, which often serves as enough of a warning for drivers looking to avoid a potential brush with the police.
As a result, many law enforcement agencies, including the New York Police Department (NYPD), have been vocal about their opposition to the inclusion of these features in navigation apps. Some law enforcement entities have even gone so far as to demand that Google stop allowing users to report checkpoint locations, arguing that it puts drivers, passengers and the public at risk and may even constitute an illegal act in and of itself.
Do these apps make our roads safer?
This debate is part of a broader conversation about the intersections of technology and public safety. Historically, drivers have always found ways to warn each other about police activity. Some drivers flash their headlights to warn others about upcoming checkpoints or speed traps, for example, while others post on neighborhood social media pages, etc. Some might argue that Google Maps and Waze have simply modernized and streamlined these efforts, making it faster and more accessible to keep other drivers informed about what is happening on their local roads.
However, the benefits of these technology features may not always outweigh the risks. Beyond creating loopholes for individuals who are driving under the influence or potentially committing other traffic violations, the interactive nature of these applications may make them overly distracting for drivers. In Maryland, it is illegal for drivers to use a handheld device while driving. While there may be some exceptions made to this rule for drivers using their GPS, taking your eyes off the road while driving in order to report a speed trap or traffic jam may serve as a distraction with potentially dire consequences. It is always best to pull over to use a handheld device rather than trying to multitask while in motion.
How these apps impact DUI cases
If your trusted navigation device fails to alert you about police activity related to a sobriety checkpoint or speed trap and you find yourself facing a DUI or other traffic-related charge, it is vital that you contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Sobriety checkpoints are carefully regulated, and police at these checkpoints are expected to follow very specific protocols, including publicizing the existence of a checkpoint in advance. If they fail to meet these requirements, the validity of the checkpoint — and your charges — could be called into question.
If you’re not sure where to turn following a DUI arrest, I would love to help you face your case head-on. Whether you’re questioning the legitimacy of a checkpoint or need help navigating the legal process, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Call Drew Cochran, Attorney at Law, at 410-210-4753 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation today.
And remember: Keep Calm—and Call Drew.
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