Google Maps is making it easier to avoid traffic jams

It's experimenting with a slowdown option in incident reporting.

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Sean Keane

April 9, 2019 4:35 a.m. PT

A map of New York City seen displayed via the Google Maps — Google Maps is reportedly rolling out the ability to report unexpected slowdowns.
Guillaume Payen/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Google Maps has been adding Waze features like incident reports in recent months, and now it's experimenting with informing you about traffic jams more quickly.

The Slowdowns option allows people caught in unusual traffic jams report it to Google, letting Maps gather data more quickly and giving others on that route the chance to divert, according to 9to5Google. The reporting options were previously limited to car crashes and speed limits.

Google Maps incident reporting adds slowdown option for traffic jams https://t.co/cm2hHBWeqH by @NexusBen pic.twitter.com/HgTirWnZZB
— 9to5Google.com (@9to5Google) April 5, 2019

A Google spokesperson confirmed that it's experimenting with this function, but didn't have any details on a wider rollout.

It's labeled "Congestion" for people who have the app set to UK English, Android Police reported.

First published April 8 at 3:31 a.m. PT.
Updated April 9 at 4:35 a.m. PT: Adds Google confirmation of the experiment.