Suggestion: Safety Alerts for High-Risk Routes

As a woman living in South Africa, I really appreciate Waze and the ability to customise my driving preferences, such as avoiding highways and choosing routes that suit my needs. However, I often drive alone to unfamiliar destinations, and I sometimes feel anxious about my personal safety when travelling through areas I don't know well.

My suggestion is for Waze to consider introducing a safety notification feature, similar to its existing speed camera alerts, that warns drivers when a route passes through an area identified as having a higher safety risk. Alternatively, Waze could display a safety risk indicator for each route when users are choosing between different options, allowing them to make more informed decisions about which route to take.

This feature would be particularly valuable for women who frequently travel alone, especially in South Africa, where gender-based violence (GBV) and concerns about personal safety are significant issues. One of my biggest fears when driving alone is experiencing a car breakdown or getting a flat tyre in an unfamiliar area where I may be vulnerable and unable to get help safely.

I believe a feature like this could provide drivers with greater peace of mind, help them plan their journeys more confidently, and make Waze an even more valuable tool for personal safety. I understand that no route can be guaranteed to be completely safe, but having access to relevant safety information could make a meaningful difference. I hope Waze will consider this suggestion, as it could benefit many users, particularly women who want to feel safer and more confident when travelling alone.