Google Maps may soon offer speed camera info in France

Speed cameras and road accidents could soon become alerts on Google Maps in France, potentially helping drivers who use the online service for GPS navigation on the country’s roads.

Published Modified

According to reports, Google Maps - the map app from US giant Google, which already allows for searchable maps and provides road directions between destinations - could soon include real-time information on accidents, and the location of speed monitors including cameras.

Information would be provided by users themselves, whose continued use of the platform would improve its effectiveness as more and more data was submitted.

This would bring Google Maps into line with other road navigation services, such as the ever-popular Waze, which was itself bought by Google in 2013.

However, this feature could be limited in certain countries by varying laws, with the user interface itself possibly showing different functions depending on location.

In France, for example, national laws may mean it might not be possible to show the location of speed cameras and certain accidents - although this has yet to be confirmed.

The roll-out date of the rumoured new service has also yet to be released, but technology news service Android Police first began reporting news of notable changes in the code of Google Maps in June.

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France