How to Master Waze’s Camera Alerts Before They Catch You

Thursday, September 4, 2025

How to Master Waze’s Camera Alerts Before They Catch You

How to Master Waze’s Camera Alerts Before They Catch You

Waze now warns drivers about more than just speed traps. From red-light cameras to mobile phone checks, the app helps you tailor alerts to your commute and avoid costly surprises.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 4, 2025

You’re driving to work, music playing, traffic steady.

Then Waze announces: “Camera ahead.”

Instantly, you check your speed.

These moments are why camera alerts matter.

Waze has expanded the range of enforcement cameras it reports, making the app more than just a shortcut to dodge traffic.

What the Feature Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

The Waze app doesn’t flag only speed cameras anymore.

It now covers red-light cameras, stop-sign enforcement, HOV lanes, bus-lane violations, mobile phone use, seat-belt checks, noise cameras, and even “safe distance” alerts.

These alerts are fueled by the Waze community and, in some cases, official data.

The point is not only to help you avoid a fine but also to keep you aware of the driving rules that vary from place to place.

For anyone who travels often, or for business users who drive new routes every week, that heads-up can be invaluable.

What You’ll Gain

Fewer surprises from hidden cameras or new enforcement zones
Simple control over which alerts you hear or see
Awareness of local driving rules that differ from city to city

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

On iOS or Android

Open Waze (iOS / Android).
Tap the magnifying glass icon or the three-line menu icon.
Tap the gear icon to open your Settings.
Tap on Alerts and reports.
Tap on Reports.
Select Cameras.
For each camera type, choose whether it should appear on the map and whether you want a voice alert while driving.

Alert type	Icon	Description
Speed camera		Records a vehicle's speed as it drives past a specific point
Red light camera		Takes pictures of vehicles that drive through a red light. Some cameras also record speeding.
Speed and red light camera		Records a vehicle's speed and takes pictures of vehicles that drive through a red light
Stop sign camera		Takes pictures of vehicles that don't stop at a stop sign
Mobile police camera		Records a vehicle's speed as it drives past a police unit
HOV lane camera		Takes pictures of vehicles driving in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes without the minimum number of passengers
Carpool lane camera		Takes pictures of vehicles driving in carpool lanes without the minimum number of passengers
Bus lane camera		Takes pictures of vehicles that aren't allowed to drive in bus lanes
Mobile phone camera		Takes pictures of drivers who use mobile phones while driving
Noise camera		Takes pictures of vehicles that exceed noise level limits
Safe distance camera		Takes pictures of vehicles that drive too close to the vehicle in front
Seat belt camera		Takes pictures of drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts

Tip: You’ll need to make these adjustments on your phone before connecting to CarPlay or Android Auto.

fig.1 - Set Waze Cameras

Pros and Cons

Pros

Alerts are customizable by type, so you can choose what matters most.
Visual pop-ups always appear on the map, even if audio doesn’t sound.

Cons

Voice alerts often sound only if you are driving over the speed limit.
On routes with heavy traffic or too many alerts, Waze may limit what it announces.
In some cases you will only see a pop-up on screen without hearing an audio warning.

Configuration Guide

Open Settings → Alerts and reports → Reports → Cameras.
Toggle each type to appear on the map or as a voice alert.
Changes apply to your account immediately, with no subscription needed.

Feature Access

Available to: All Waze users on iOS and Android

Cost: Free

Limitations: Some camera types (like mobile-phone enforcement) may not appear in every region.

Score

Criterion | Score | Justification

Value 8/10
Alerts cover more than just speed, saving money and improving safety.

Usability 7/10
Easy to adjust, but voice alerts are inconsistent depending on the region.

Wow Factor 7/10
Helpful to see different camera types, but it doesn’t feel revolutionary.

Total: 22/30 → Good. Worth adopting for most users.

Key Takeaways

Waze’s expanded camera alerts go beyond the basics, giving you a clear picture of enforcement risks on your route.

They’re free, simple to adjust, and useful for both local commuting and long-distance driving.

Just remember the system isn’t perfect, especially for voice alerts.

Try It Yourself

Open your Waze settings today and choose which alerts matter most to you.

Try them on your next commute and see how many times they save you a ticket.

Then share your experience and pass the tip along to your team.

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned tech expert, is the mastermind behind www.OneCoolTip.com where he serves as both writer and editor. With a keen eye for simplifying complex tech, Rodger delivers practical advice that empowers readers to navigate the digital world with confidence. Dive into www.OneCoolTip.com for a treasure trove of savvy tips and tricks that keep you one step ahead in tech.