Vancouver police wary of community-based traffic app

Construction and traffic are the kinds of things drivers try to avoid on their daily commute.

And in a continued effort to stay ahead of potential traffic bottlenecks, many people are turning to social media and various apps.  One of those apps is Waze, which boasts millions of users worldwide, including Vancouver.

“We see both advantages and disadvantages to a variety of apps to both assist in avoiding congested traffic areas,” said Sgt. Randy Fincham from the Vancouver Police Department.

The app, which allows users to report when they see a slowdown, also syncs with Google maps. Once a user enters their address, they are given directions to avoid any reported delays.

But the app also lets users avoid the police. Users can report where they see a speed trap or an impaired driving check stop. This feature has the VPD concerned.

“We see time and time again that our officers are on the road, looking for impaired drivers, trying to take those drivers off the road…,” Fincham said.

“And if an app should provide them with the opportunity to avoid that roadblock, find another route home, putting other drivers’ safety at risk, then we’d rather not see that happen.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We see time and time again that our officers are on the road, looking for impaired drivers, trying to take those drivers off the road…," Fincham said.</p><p>"And if an app should provide them with the opportunity to avoid that roadblock, find another route home, putting other drivers' safety at risk, then we'd rather not see that happen."

While police admit there are no known examples of anyone using the app to avoid a check stop, the potential is there.

Google, the parent company of Waze, says it takes police and community safety seriously and that “sharing information on road incidents and closures” helps municipalities “better understand what’s happening in their cities in real time.”

The company also says “most users tend to drive more carefully when they believe law enforcement is nearby.”

Fincham said that’s likely true.

But some, including social media expert Alfred Hermida, said drivers need to think about what they are sharing and why.

“We have a responsibility as citizens to make really informed decisions about what we do and think through the consequences of that act of sharing,” said Hermida.