How to add a traffic report using Google Maps

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The traffic reports in Google Maps allow you to quickly determine whether the route you are taking is busy or not. If you are a passenger on the road, you can update Google Maps by adding your own traffic reports. Here’s how.

These instructions will work for all mobile users with the Google Maps app on Android and iPhone. However, it is important to only attempt this if it is safe, otherwise you could put other road users at risk. This function is suitable for a passenger in a vehicle to use, for example.

To get started, open the “Google Maps” app and search for directions using the search bar at the top of the screen. Once you are in navigation mode, tap on route information at the bottom of the interface, containing ETA, distance and arrival times.

Tap on the route information (containing ETAs) at the bottom of the Google Maps navigation interface

This will bring up a menu with additional options, including the ability to display written instructions, as well as display a satellite map.

To add a new traffic report, however, tap the “Add Report” option at the top of the menu.

In the additional options menu for route navigation on Google Maps, tap the icon "Add report" option.

There are several live traffic situations available which you can report using the “Add Report” feature.

For example, if you are stuck in traffic, you can select the “Congestion” option. Otherwise, if a lane on the freeway is closed, you may prefer to select the “Close lane” option. Tap any of these options to add this alert to your current location.

Click on one of the available traffic report options to add it to your location in Google Maps

These options vary in name and availability, depending on your region.

For example, US users will see “Speed Trap” as an option to alert other users of law enforcement speed checks, while UK users will see “Mobile Speed Cameras” instead.

If you added a report by accident, you will have a few seconds to undo it before the report is added to Google Maps. Press “Cancel” at this point if you added a report by mistake.

Tap "to cancel" to remove a recently added traffic report from Google Maps

After a few seconds have passed, the report will be added to Google Maps for other users to view. When other users cross the same area, an alert appears to alert them to the disruption, as long as the user has not turned off traffic notifications from Google Maps.

RELATED: How to turn off Android traffic notifications

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