Traffic Police in Bengaluru Use Technology to Tackle Violators, Anonymous Users Counter on Google Maps
Innovative Use of Google Maps Raises Eyebrows as Violators Find Clever Ways to Evade Traffic Cops
Traffic:Viral Social Media Post Reveals How Anonymous Users Mark Police Checkpoints on Google Maps, Sparking Amusement and Concern Online
Traffic:Every morning, traffic cops in Bengaluru prepare for duty with the aim of stopping and fining traffic violators. They often focus on areas known for frequent violations. When stopped, many violators argue with the officers, making the task challenging. In an unexpected twist, anonymous individuals have started marking these enforcement areas on Google Maps to alert potential violators.
A user on X (formerly Twitter) recently shared a screenshot of Google Maps location tags labeled “Police irthare, Nodkond hogi,” which translates to “Police will be there, watch and go.” The post quickly went viral, drawing significant attention and various reactions from the online community.
Guru Mandagadde, the user who shared the screenshot, commented, “Just type ‘Police irt’ on Google Maps and thank me later.” There are at least ten such location tags. If a violator without a helmet or license travels towards one of these marked locations, they can see the tag and change their route. While the idea might seem humorous, it potentially enables many violators to evade the police.
Netizens also discovered another landmark labeled, “Helmet hakond banni, police irthare,” meaning “Please wear your helmet, police will be here.” This too generated a mix of amusement and concern on the internet.
One user reminisced, “Haha, I remember seeing an app on Uber drivers’ phones in NYC that alerted them about cop car locations. This is local jugaad.” Another user described it as “Early disaster warning systems developed by citizens.”
This isn’t the first time Google Maps has been used creatively in Bengaluru. Previously, the unfinished Ejipura flyover was humorously dubbed “Stonehenge” on the app, complete with Google reviews.
While these tags on Google Maps offer a clever workaround for violators, they also highlight the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and citizens trying to outsmart each other. The trend has sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness of traffic enforcement and the role of technology in public safety.
