Google Maps traffic data issues

[Jobbo]

I've noticed quite a few times over the last couple of weeks that Google Maps has shown the M5 in the Midlands as closed when it isn't. It's usually relatively apparent because there's no tell-tale red queue up to the point it's supposedly closed; the traffic data line is green until the red dashed section. I posted about in on SABRE rather than here: https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/forum/vi ... 4&start=20

Searching for any info about this didn't get anywhere so I just assumed I can't trust Google Maps currently. And as someone who recommends always checking the traffic on Google Maps before setting off, that was a bit of a shame.

Lo and behold, it's made the news though because of what must be the same glitch happening in Germany: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/ ... are-closed
Still no answer from Google. Which probably means it isn't fixed yet. The longer it goes on, the more likely I am to switch wholesale to Apple Maps. If the data is unreliable then you just have to get used to an alternative that works.

[scotta]

I had similar last week with Waze. Section of the city bypass marked as closed...It wasnt.

[Jobbo]

I've seen people recommending Waze instead, but they've been owned by Google for some years and the data is shared; it seemed pretty unlikely the glitch would only affect Google Maps not Waze

[scotta]

I've seen people recommending Waze instead, but they've been owned by Google for some years and the data is shared; it seemed pretty unlikely the glitch would only affect Google Maps not Waze

Yup.

[IanF]

I wonder if it’s people pressing the road closed warning in the app?.. you know, to be funny!

[Jobbo]

Ian, that’s exactly what I wondered I’m not sure you can report a closure that way though, just an incident or whatever. And the closures actually have a specific ‘reopens at 10.30pm’ type message if you click on them.

[DeskJockey]

I was going to start a thread about this, because we experienced it in Germany. Coming through the Elb Tunnel (heading north) Google Maps wanted me to take the first junction off, then go round the roundabout and back down the other side. There was no reason to do so, either because of the road being closed (it clearly wasn't) or time (traffic was flowing as freely as it ever does around there, i.e. like treacle in a freezer, but still).

What I also noticed was how often and for how long it had the speed restrictions completely wrong. At one point it took a good 10 or so miles for it to realise that I wasn't in fact doing 130 in a 60, and switch from the deep red (danger, danger!) to white text. It seems to be confined to Germany though, didn't notice it in Denmark, Belgium, France or the Netherlands.

[unzippy]

I was going to start a thread about this, because we experienced it in Germany. Coming through the Elb Tunnel (heading north) Google Maps wanted me to take the first junction off, then go round the roundabout and back down the other side. There was no reason to do so, either because of the road being closed (it clearly wasn't) or time (traffic was flowing as freely as it ever does around there, i.e. like treacle in a freezer, but still).

What I also noticed was how often and for how long it had the speed restrictions completely wrong. At one point it took a good 10 or so miles for it to realise that I wasn't in fact doing 130 in a 60, and switch from the deep red (danger, danger!) to white text. It seems to be confined to Germany though, didn't notice it in Denmark, Belgium, France or the Netherlands.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/ ... are-closed

[Jobbo]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/ ... are-closed

See the first post in this thread

Be nice to see Google explain it or say it's solved.

[ShockDiamonds]

Even after a couple of updates, my BMW nav insists the road out of my town is closed due to roadworks and has been for about three years

[mik]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/ ... are-closed

See the first post in this thread

Be nice to see Google explain it or say it's solved.

Woz it H4cK0rZ?

[Mito Man]

Anyone else notice Waze now shows ambulances live? It’s only the responding ones. Quite clever.