According to ABC 7 News, popular traffic map apps, such as Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps, are causing big problems on small Los Angeles residential streets. One residential road in Silver Lake has become a popular “short cut” for app users. However, with more commuters using this “short cut,” the small street has now experienced increased traffic leading to several crashes.
Recently, the Waze app directed a large tour bus down the small Silver Lake street. The bus ended up hitting several vehicles—one witness reported that after hitting his car, the bus “hit four other cars and removed the bumper off of another one.” Luckily, no one was hurt. While Waze did respond to the incident stating the app was not designed for charter buses or oversized trucks, there is nothing to prevent drivers of these vehicles from using the app. Residents say that these apps have taken over the lives of daily drivers and it is ultimately having a negative impact on the quality of life in the small neighborhoods affected.
Residents on the street in Silver Lake say that the increased traffic has also led to more road rage, with drivers getting out of their cars and yelling obscenities at each other when the “short cut” turns out to still take a long time. Residents are very concerned about the safety of their small streets that are now becoming highly trafficked areas.
Technically, apps such as Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps are supposed to be a help to drivers. It allows drivers to take the fastest route to their destination, avoid detected traffic, and can lead to fewer cars on main roadways. The problem is that when traffic is diverted to small side streets or residential streets that are not designed for heavy traffic, it can lead to dangerous conditions.
As is the case on the Silver Lake street, too much traffic on small residential roads can lead to car accidents, which far too often result in personal injuries. Not only are there too many cars on these small roads, which can lead to collisions between vehicles, but drivers must also be aware of pedestrians, children at play, and cyclists that are common in residential areas. The use of the app can also lead to distracted driving as drivers attempt to navigate new routes, or even speeding as drivers maintain main road speeds on small side streets.
We urge drivers to use caution when following the directions of these traffic apps and to take into consideration the fact that driving through a residential area may not be the best route. It is crucial to always stay attentive, no matter which roads you are taking in the Los Angeles area. If you or a loved one has been injured by a careless driver in a Los Angeles car accident, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney right away. At Walch Law, we have over 45 years of experience handling car accident cases and we can help you determine who to bring a claim against so you can be compensated for your injuries. Call us today at 1-866-INJURY-2 (866-465-8792)!