New Apple feature: drivers.. report road hazards hands-free

New Delhi: Apple Maps has introduced a new hands-free feature that allows drivers to report road accidents, hazards and traffic obstructions without touching their smartphones, making it easier to share real-time road information while staying focused on driving.

The feature uses Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, to let users report problems they encounter during a journey with simple voice commands. Drivers can alert Apple Maps about an accident or obstruction without looking at or physically interacting with their phones.

Once Siri receives the voice instruction, Apple Maps automatically records the information, allowing other motorists to benefit from updated road conditions. The hands-free system is designed to reduce distractions behind the wheel while making road information more readily available.

The feature also extends to drivers using Apple CarPlay. They can report an incident by tapping the report icon on their vehicle’s dashboard, providing an additional way to submit information while on the road.

Apple Maps users can also use Siri to update previously reported incidents when the obstruction or hazard is no longer present. This helps keep information on the platform more accurate as road conditions change.

The new capability is expected to make reporting hazards considerably more convenient for Apple users, particularly when they encounter unexpected obstacles while driving. By allowing drivers to communicate road conditions without handling their phones, Apple is also seeking to make the process safer and less disruptive.

With real-time updates playing an increasingly important role in navigation, the feature could help Apple Maps provide motorists with more timely information about changing conditions along their routes.