In Bengaluru, traffic violators have found a clever way to evade police checkpoints, leveraging Google Maps to mark locations where traffic cops frequently set up stops. Known as India’s Silicon Valley, the city’s tech-savvy residents have anonymously tagged these spots to alert others, creating an unintentional challenge for the traffic police.
A viral post on social media platform X showcased a screenshot of a Google Maps location tag with the message, “Police irthare, Nodkond hogi,” meaning “Police will be there, watch and go” in English. This post has prompted numerous reactions, with users sharing similar tags across the city. Over ten such tags have been identified, enabling violators to avoid fines and penalties by navigating around these checkpoints.
Users have dubbed this grassroots effort an “early disaster warning system,” with some humorously tagging locations with messages like “Helmet hakond banni, police irthare” (“Please wear your helmet, police will be here”). The practice is reminiscent of similar tactics used by Uber drivers in New York City, who once used apps to track police car locations.
Despite the widespread discussion, both the Bengaluru traffic police and Google have yet to comment on this development. The situation highlights the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between authorities and the public, as technology continues to play a pivotal role in urban life.