You still believe that Waze will protect you from a fine: Now it may be the other way around

Until a few years ago, Waze was an integral part of the driving experience for many drivers. With just a few clicks, the journey was quieter, faster and often cheaper. It could guide us through traffic jams as well as alert us to road closures, police checks or speed cameras. Today, however, its reputation is changing. Waze, once seen as a lifesaver from fines, is itself becoming a reason for penalties in some states. What’s happened and why can a once-reliable app get you into unexpected trouble abroad?

Waze is one of those community navigation systems that connect all its users in real time. Drivers themselves enter up-to-date information about traffic jams, accidents, closures and even the weather. Unlike other navigation systems, it responds instantly and offers routes that can save time and nerves. A significant advantage is also the overview of fuel prices or the possibility to adapt the route to individual preferences.

But Waze’s greatest popularity has come from its reporting of speed cameras and police patrols. Some consider this a safety feature, as it gives advance warning of the need to slow down or go around the whole thing. For others – especially the authorities – on the other hand, it has become a tool that undermines the point of roadside checks.

Where Waze turns into a risk

Road regulations vary around the world, which is something you should take into account when travelling abroad. And it’s not just speed limits or different road signs, some of the features in your sat nav can also cause you problems. That’s why it’s always a good idea to find out what the rules are in your country beforehand.

In Germany, for example, the German Road Traffic Act(§ 23 (1c) StVO) prohibits all devices designed to detect or warn of speed measurements. It’s not just traditional speed cameras, the ban also applies to mobile apps, of which Waze is one of the most well-known.

You can, of course, use the navigation system as such. But once you trigger the speed camera or police alert function, you risk a fine. The local police even have the right to check whether the driver – or even the passenger – has this feature on their phone. If they do, you could face a €75 fine and an entry on the driving licence register. Repeated offences can lead to the revocation of driving licences.

In France, the situation is even stricter – here, using a radar detector can result in up to €1,500 and the confiscation of the device and, in extreme cases, the car. In Switzerland, there is an absolute ban on all speed warning devices and penalties start at €200.

Spain has already considered a similar move. The Directorate-General there is seeking, among other things, to restrict the functions of apps such as Waze or Google Maps so that they do not provide information on the presence of police or speed cameras.

By contrast, in countries such as Belgium, Italy or the Netherlands, the app can still operate in full, although the situation may change quickly.

What this means for drivers

According to the authorities, the purpose of traffic checks is not to catch drivers “in the wrong place at the wrong time”, but to get them to obey speed limits across the board, not just in places marked by the app. According to statistics, speeding is one of the main causes of serious traffic accidents. In addition, constant monitoring of the mobile screen can lead to inattention while driving.

The use of navigation as such is allowed practically everywhere, the problem only arises when it warns you about speed cameras or police checks.

While using Waze is no longer as carefree as it used to be, it can still be a great helper. However, relying on it to protect you from fines is risky these days. Paradoxically, it may not protect you, but get you into trouble.

So if you’re driving to Germany, France or Switzerland, for example, turn off the radar reporting option. It can save not only your wallet from a financial penalty, but in some cases your points record.