Police Will Be There...: Bengaluru Residents Use Google Maps To Warn Drivers Of Traffic Police

Every morning in Bengaluru, traffic police gear up to enforce rules, targeting areas with frequent violations where motorists often argue when stopped. Recently, anonymous individuals marked these spots on Google Maps to warn violators.

Police irthare, Nodkond hogi

A screenshot shared on X shows tags like 'Police irthare, Nodkond hogi' ('Police will be there, watch and go'), which went viral. Guru Mandagadde advised, "Just type 'Police irt' on Google Maps and thank me later," revealing around ten such tags. Violators without helmets or licenses can divert to avoid police.

Helmet hakond banni, police irthare

Another landmark reads, "Helmet hakond banni, police irthare" ('Please wear your helmet, police will be here'), generating both amusement and concern online. One user likened it to apps used by Uber drivers in NYC to spot police cars, while another called it a citizen-developed early warning system.

The location tags have been spotted in at least ten different areas, allowing drivers who are not wearing helmets or do not have licenses to take evasive action and avoid getting caught. While some users have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the tactic, others have praised it as a form of "early disaster warning system" developed by citizens.

Interestingly, this is not the first time that Google Maps has been used to bypass traffic regulations. In the past, the platform has been known to label unfinished construction projects with humorous names, such as the Ejipura flyover being referred to as "Stonehenge".