Waze App?

MMiz

MMiz

I put the M in EMTLife
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Does anyone use Waze? It's a free app that includes turn-by-turn navigation with voice prompts.

What amazes me is that so many people report things like heavy traffic, police, red light cameras, construction, even hazards like cars on the shoulder.

Not only does it take such items into consideration when selecting a route, but it actually warns you with an auditory warning before you reach the event/item.

It's awesome hearing "police ahead" or "accident ahead" before I actually see the actual event.

You can also earn points for reporting incidents/items. The #1 user in a Texas EMT.

Anyone use it?
 
I use it every now and then. I'll use in on duty when we go to a car accident because I can get more info on where the accident is located and if it's in the center divider or shoulder so I can plan my response ahead.

I also use the California Highway Patrol traffic app for information on car accidents as well.
 
I have never heard of it but now I am going to try it.
 
DesertEMT66 said:
I use it every now and then. I'll use in on duty when we go to a car accident because I can get more info on where the accident is located and if it's in the center divider or shoulder so I can plan my response ahead.

I also use the California Highway Patrol traffic app for information on car accidents as well.
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I load up the CHP CAD on our MDT's. All but one has been able to do it one way or another.

Never used my phone really for it though.
 
exodus said:
I load up the CHP CAD on our MDT's. All but one has been able to do it one way or another.

Never used my phone really for it though.
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Normally the shifts I pick up don't have a working CAD system (yay for part times haha).
 
We're starting to use it at work....very interesting to say the least.
 
Google now owns Waze, so a lot of the traffic and accidents data is also displayed in Google Maps. It's a useful app; one of the EMTs I did my ride-alongs with used it every call.
 
Just downloaded it and the first thing it says I it can't find my current location! That's not promising!
 
I love Waze. I don't normally use it on my day-to-day because I already know what speeds I can do where without getting in trouble, but it's crucial when I'm road tripping in warning me of cops, traffic jams, etc. and planning my route around them - or just as importantly telling me I might as well sit in traffic because there's no quicker way. I don't use it on duty because it's as much a visual app as it is an auditory one, but I have a mount in my car that is suction-cupped to my windshield that holds my phone. I've thought about using it on duty but I'm not sure it would add much to our cab set up (which includes our MDC and a Garmin GPS).

Great for personal use though. Plus you feel like a boss when you add a cop to the map and know that people behind you now know there's a speed trap ahead.
 
I'm gonna have to give it a try. I drive enough to make it useful lol
 
Had partners use it and got lost. Google maps all the way!
 
titmouse said:
Had partners use it and got lost. Google maps all the way!
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I don't use GPS apps to find my way so that doesn't bother me. I actually know how to read a map. :P:rofl:
 
I've been trying Waze for the past couple of days and on my usual route to/from work, it suggests a route that's just a little "off" from my normal route and those suggested routes are a little bit longer than my preferred route. I use Google Maps or Scout for mobile mapping. The routes those suggest make a bit more sense (base map data might be better/more complete) and at least Scout allows me to download a basemap for those times when I don't have a data signal.

Of course, not to be outdone, I still have a good working knowledge of how to use an actual paper map. Give me an updated Thomas Guide and as long as the street's on the map, I'll get there every time...
 
Akulahawk said:
I've been trying Waze for the past couple of days and on my usual route to/from work, it suggests a route that's just a little "off" from my normal route and those suggested routes are a little bit longer than my preferred route. I use Google Maps or Scout for mobile mapping. The routes those suggest make a bit more sense (base map data might be better/more complete) and at least Scout allows me to download a basemap for those times when I don't have a data signal.

Of course, not to be outdone, I still have a good working knowledge of how to use an actual paper map. Give me an updated Thomas Guide and as long as the street's on the map, I'll get there every time...
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So does Google maps you can download routes
 
drl said:
Google now owns Waze, so a lot of the traffic and accidents data is also displayed in Google Maps. It's a useful app; one of the EMTs I did my ride-alongs with used it every call.
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See, Google's buying everything. Next week: Dubai.

Wife and daughter use Waze. Records a lot of data on you too (remember acceding to permissions before it let you download it?). But hers warns about roadkills too.

I hate the "Watch out!" thing though. I automatically de-throttle and prepare to evade.
 
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