It looks like Waze is finally taking baby steps toward putting traffic lights on its map – a feature users have been begging for, especially since rival Google Maps has had it since 2022. While this update is currently very limited and not yet widely available, it represents a real change for the navigation app, which is typically more concerned with live notifications from drivers than static map details.
Traffic lights quietly enter Waze maps
What Happened: According to a report from GeekTime, Waze is currently testing traffic light icons in Israel. The feature is reportedly in a very early experimental stage, with specific limitations designed to prevent the screen from looking messy.
When you actually navigate to a destination, Waze reportedly only shows the next three traffic lights along your route. This appears to be a conscious decision to ensure map readability and prevent drivers from becoming distracted.
However, the behavior changes when navigation is turned off. In this mode, Waze appears to display every nearby traffic light around you, giving you a better view of nearby intersections. This split approach suggests that Waze is still trying to find the balance between helpful and overwhelming, especially since the screen is already crammed with icons for potholes, police, and traffic jams.
At the moment, the test is stuck with a small group of users in Israel, and there is no information about when – or if – it will be available in other countries.
Why this matters and what might come next
Why it matters: Traffic lights may sound like a small change, but they actually make a big difference in situational awareness, especially in busy cities. When you know a traffic light is on, you can anticipate stops, control your speed and avoid emergency braking. For Waze, which has always been about dynamic data like accidents, this is an important step towards providing more persistent road information.
Why you should care: If you’re a loyal Waze user, you’ve probably noticed the lack of this feature – especially if you ever switch to Google Maps. Traffic lights give you context and make driving on new roads feel much less unpredictable. Despite the current limitations, this test proves that Waze is finally closing a major gap in its feature list.
What’s next: Waze admitted back in May that traffic lights were on the to-do list, so this test is likely just the beginning. Since Google owns Waze, the app could potentially simply adopt Google Maps’ extensive database for regions like the US. However, there is currently no timeline for a global rollout, so Waze fans will have to wait while Google Maps continues to reap the benefits.
