Waze SafeEscape – Emergency Navigation for Brake Failure and Uncontrolled Acceleration

I would like to propose a new road safety feature for Waze called SafeEscape, designed to assist drivers experiencing brake failure or uncontrolled vehicle acceleration.

Unlike regular navigation, which focuses on reaching a destination as quickly as possible, SafeEscape would calculate the safest feasible escape route based on the vehicle's current speed, road geometry, upcoming curves, intersections, and traffic conditions. The system could also consider uphill roads that may help reduce vehicle speed.

The feature would include three key capabilities:

1. Emergency Navigation: Real-time guidance toward safer routes, avoiding dangerous curves, intersections, and obstacles whenever physically possible.

2. Nearby Driver Alerts: Automatic warnings to Waze users whose routes may intersect with the out-of-control vehicle, allowing them to maintain a safe distance and reduce the risk of secondary accidents.

3. Emergency Services Integration: Quick contact with emergency services, with the potential to automatically share the vehicle's live location, speed, and direction through approved integrations.

The feature should support fast activation, including voice commands, while incorporating appropriate safeguards against intentional misuse. Legal warnings and user consent would be handled during initial setup to avoid delays during an actual emergency.

This proposal was inspired by the tragic 2012 Attias family accident in Israel, in which eight family members lost their lives following a severe vehicle control emergency.

The idea is simple: Waze should not only help drivers reach their destinations — it should also help them and others survive emergencies on the road.