Waze now alerts drivers to dangerous city intersections

Waze is already pretty handy for keeping you out of traffic hotspots and jams, and a recent update to the service now wants to help to keep you out of danger as well. Waze now offers up driver alerts about hazardous intersections in five major US cities.

The alerts are based on Waze’s own traffic data collection and information provided by various city transportation departments. The information looks at vehicle collision rates, bike, and pedestrian incidents, as well as information about recorded injuries. This data is then used to determine which intersections to alert users about, so it should be able to adapt and update over time.

Of course, the app isn’t prompting every driver out there and is certainly no substitute for personal vigilance while on the road. But it’s great to see that Waze’s data is being used to help make busy cities a slightly safer place to drive in, and hopefully it will keep a few people out of accidents.