Waze - GPS, Maps, Traffic Alerts & Live Navigation

Zift Advisory

Waze is a community-based navigation and live traffic app, that is free to use. This app is rated everyone and is available in both the App Store and the Google Play Store. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements. This app is safe for mature teens but parents should discuss safe driving expectations with their teens.

About Waze - GPS, Maps, Traffic Alerts & Live Navigation

What is Waze - GPS, Maps, Traffic Alerts & Live Navigation?

Waze is a community-based navigation and live traffic app, that is free to use and provides a slightly different user experience than the every popular Google Maps. This app is rated everyone and is available in both the App Store and the Google Play Store. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements.

Waze relies on members to report traffic hazards, police, gas prices, construction and all other road hazards, so that the information users receive is happening in real time and is accurate.

Looking for a handy detour to bypass a road blocked by an accident? Waze uses local resident information to feed users the best and fastest routes there are.

Once downloaded, Waze opens and asks for permission to access the user’s location data to better able navigate via (GPS). After allowing access, the Waze app opens to a map screen, showing the user’s location.

The bottom of the screen in the Waze app shows from left to right, the user’s current speed, a search bar, how many other Wazers are in the area (“Wazers” are community members, actively using the app).

From here, users can input their desired destination in the search bar and a button allowing users to access area reports.

To get started users tap the search icon (magnifying glass) and either input their destination address or location to get going or take a moment to set their home and work addresses for future use.

There are also options for accessing favorite locations, as well as saving planned drives. Waze offers users the ability to input information with voice commands by tapping the red microphone icon in the search bar.

Once a destination is input, Waze pinpoints the location on the map, and provides details such as distance, area parking lots (perfect for navigating cities), a thumbnail photo of the location, and telephone, web address and hours if the location is a business.

Users opting to use voice commands for navigation are in for a treat, and will have fun with their navigator set to Boy Band or Liam Neeson. There is also the option for users to record their own voice for a completely custom navigation experience.

Those using voice commands will receive turn by turn instructions in addition to verbal notifications of any obstacles, accidents, or other road conditions along their way.

Is Waze - GPS, Maps, Traffic Alerts & Live Navigation safe for my kids?

As with any navigation app, parents should be aware of the potential for such apps to be a cause of distraction rather than being of assistance, and Waze is no different.

However, Waze is definitely a hipper navigation app, with its community-based model, the ability to sync Spotify accounts, and the ability to change one’s vehicle to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) status for more accurate route directions.

Extremely helpful and streamlined, but all of these bells and whistles can easily cause distraction for a young driver. This app is safe for mature teens but parents should discuss safe driving expectations with their teens.

As Waze is a community based navigation app, users are accessing information submitted by other users and have the ability to report traffic concerns themselves.

This is extremely important for parents to be aware of, as teens may be tempted to make reports while driving. Unless there is someone in a passenger seat or the user pulls over, there is no safe way to report traffic conditions.