Kuala Lumpur Police Advise Motorists Not To Share Police Presence Information on Waze
- Kyle Chua
- Jan 31, 2023
- 2 min read
Many motorists rely on Waze to navigate roads they might not be familiar with or find the fastest routes to places they want to go.
The interactive navigation app provides real-time traffic information – from accidents, traffic jams, speed traps and other such obstacles that can slow motorists down – via community-based crowdsourcing. Information can either be shared automatically or proactively by other motorists who use the app. Police presence can also be shared, which is now said to be interfering with the job of the police force in Malaysia.
The Kuala Lumpur police are now advising the public not to share information on police presence and roadblocks on Waze. Doing so supposedly makes it harder for the force to catch traffic offenders, including motorists who may be driving under the influence.
"Those who have never been affected by the misfortune caused by the carelessness and negligence of traffic offenders, will not be able to feel the pain and suffering victims' families have to endure," said Police Chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim in his speech at the High Profile Policing programme at Wonderland Park on Saturday, 28 January. "And that is why it is my hope that the public, especially road users, will cooperate with the police instead of trying to help those who commit road offences."
The programme, which was aimed at raising awareness about crime prevention and safety, was also attended by Sentul District Police Chief ACP Beh Eng Lai and JL 99 Group Executive Chairman Datuk Seri Jeff.
The advisory comes after the Royal Malaysian Police carried out its Ops Selamat in conjunction with Chinese New Year festivities, which ran from 18 to 27 January. The state-wide safety operations minimise the number of traffic accidents on all Malaysian roads during festive seasons like Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Deepavali.
The Kuala Lumpur police are advising the public not to share information on police presence and roadblocks on Waze.
Doing so supposedly makes it harder for the force to catch traffic offenders, including motorists who may be driving under the influence.
Waze is a navigation app that provides real-time traffic information via crowdsourcing.
