There are several GPS navigation apps that let you know where speed cameras are on the roads. But the most effective one in this area is not the most popular, according to a study.
When you hit the road, especially for long journeys during the holidays, avoiding speed cameras is a concern shared by many drivers. And while you must of course scrupulously respect speed limits and other prohibitions while monitoring the signs along the roads, several GPS guidance applications have an alert function that prevents you from being caught out when approaching a speed camera, which can always happen when you are driving while tired or distracted. This is particularly the case for the main mobile apps, namely Google Maps, Waze and Apple Plans.
Although well-known, these three apps are not appreciated in the same way by users for this task. A recent study conducted by the MarketWatch institute among 1,000 drivers revealed that Google Maps is the favorite GPS application for reporting speed cameras, far surpassing Waze and Apple Maps.
Developed by the tech giant, Google Maps stands out for its regular and accurate updates of navigation data. Drivers appreciate the speed with which Google Maps integrates new information on roads and speed cameras. This responsiveness offers peace of mind that few other applications can match. The Street View function, exclusive to Google Maps, also allows you to visualize the road and the surrounding area, providing valuable information to better understand the terrain and anticipate speed cameras.
According to the study results, 70% of drivers surveyed prefer Google Maps to be alerted to the presence of speed cameras, compared to only 27% for Waze and 25% for Apple Maps. This clear preference for Google Maps is explained by the trust placed in official updates and data from the application, rather than reports from the user community, as is the case with Waze.
Interestingly, however, when it comes to pure effectiveness in detecting speed cameras, drivers find that Waze does a much better job, being 30% more effective than Google Maps. Despite this effectiveness, many drivers still prefer Google Maps. This choice could be due to familiarity and habit of using Google Maps for other types of navigation and search.
Apple Maps, while comprehensive and integrated into iOS devices, remains a laggard. Its limited availability to Apple products and its initial poor reputation are holding back its adoption. In addition, iPhone users often already have a preference for Google Maps, an app they can download and use without restrictions.
In short, for drivers who are keen to respect speed limits while avoiding fines, Google Maps appears to be the most reliable choice. But for those looking for more precise radar detection, Waze proves to be the most effective. It’s up to you to choose, depending on your needs!