Waze lets you know as you near cameras on your route, according to its own help page, and the camera alerts are on by default. The same page says cameras come from reports by Waze's partners and map editors, and that a camera nobody reported may be unknown to the app. This guide goes through what Waze's help pages and App Store listing say on 16 October 2026 about camera types, data, average speed zones, police reports and settings. It is not a test of how many cameras the app finds, and Waze lists no countries or camera counts on these pages.
Which cameras Waze says it alerts for
Waze's page "Manage camera alerts" lists twelve alert types and describes each one; another help page notes that alerts may vary based on your location. Eight of the twelve:
| Alert type | Waze's 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 also record speeding |
| Speed and red light camera | Records speed and takes pictures of vehicles that drive through a red light |
| Mobile police camera | Records a vehicle's speed as it drives past a police unit |
| Bus lane camera | Takes pictures of vehicles that are not allowed to drive in bus lanes |
| Mobile phone camera | Takes pictures of drivers who use mobile phones while driving |
| 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 |
The other four are stop sign, HOV lane, carpool lane and noise cameras. Whether a given type is covered where you drive is not stated; the table is Waze's list of types, not a statement about UK enforcement.
Where the camera data comes from
Waze says cameras are added to the map "based on reports from our partners and map editors". If a camera was not reported by an editor or a partner, "Waze may not know about it". That is a limit the maker states about its own data, and the page does not say who the partners are.
Average speed zones
On a separate page Waze explains that an average speed camera records your average speed from the time it takes you to enter and exit an area. In countries that have such zones, Waze alerts you to upcoming zones with a voice alert and a visual notification, whether you are navigating or only have the app open. Waze adds that it shows your live speed and currently does not calculate or show your average speed. For how these systems work, see how average speed checks measure your speed.
Police and mobile camera reports
Waze users can report police sightings, and the help page "Report police sightings" lists Mobile camera among the options under Police, with the note that these options may not be available in all countries. Waze asks drivers to report only incidents they see in real time and as close to the incident as possible. The App Store listing puts it in general terms: real-time safety alerts including police, and "some features are not available in all countries". How mobile speed cameras work explains why a van is hard to put on any map.
Settings: how to turn camera alerts on or off
- Open Waze, tap the menu, then Settings.
- Tap Alerts and reports, then Reports, then Cameras.
- Tap the alert type and choose Show on map, Alert while driving, or both.
For average speed zones the path ends at Cameras, Speed camera, and the switch is Alert while driving. Waze says that if you use it in the car, you manage alerts on your phone and the changes carry over to the car; with Android Auto or CarPlay, disconnect the phone first.
Two statements on Waze's pages explain why an alert may not sound. If you were at or under the speed limit, you only see the alert on the map. And to limit distraction Waze caps the number of alerts on one route and prioritises them, "which means that you may not get alerted about everything on your route and drivers' discretion is still necessary".
Waze, UK law and the phone
An undated Ask the Police answer from the Police National Legal Database (askthe.police.uk, read on 16 October 2026) says devices that only provide information about camera site locations are lawful in the UK, and that abroad they may be unlawful. That is a police answer, not a statute. The four kinds of speed camera detector puts that next to jammers. GOV.UK says it is illegal to hold and use a phone or sat nav while driving, with 6 penalty points and a £200 fine, and allows a device in a windscreen mount without holding it. For a comparison with another map app, Google Maps and speed cameras uses the same method.
BlitzBuddy and Waze's alerts
BlitzBuddy gives no speed camera warnings in the UK, Ireland or any other country outside the five where it warns; your speed, trips and reports from other drivers still work. Drivers using BlitzBuddy can report jams, accidents, breakdowns and objects on the road with one big tap or by voice, and drivers who pass confirm or clear a report; nobody sees who reported. Report only when it is safe, or let a passenger do it. BlitzBuddy does not promise warnings for mobile speed cameras. BlitzBuddy is free, with no ads and no subscription. It is available for iPhone; the Android version is coming soon.
More guides on the same topic are collected under apps and the law.
Sources
- Manage camera alerts, Waze Help
- Manage average speed enforcement zone alerts, Waze Help
- Customize your alerts, Waze Help
- Report police sightings, Waze Help
- Waze Navigation & Live Traffic, App Store, United Kingdom
- Q367: Is it illegal to have a speed camera detector in my car?, Ask the Police, Police National Legal Database
- Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving, GOV.UK
Sources read on 16 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does Waze show speed cameras?
Waze's help page says it lets you know as you near cameras on your route and that camera alerts are on by default. It adds that cameras are added from reports by partners and map editors, and that if a camera was not reported by one of them, Waze may not know about it.
Why didn't I hear a Waze speed camera alert?
Waze says that if you did not hear a speed camera alert, you were likely at or under the speed limit, and in that case you only see an alert on the map. Waze also says it limits the number of alerts on one route and that you may not be alerted about everything.
Does Waze warn about average speed cameras?
Waze says that in countries with average speed enforcement zones it alerts you to upcoming zones, with a voice alert and a visual notification. It adds that it does not currently calculate or show your average speed, only your live speed.
How do I turn off speed camera alerts on Waze?
Open Waze, tap the menu, then Settings, Alerts and reports, Reports, Cameras, and choose the alert type. Switch off Show on map, Alert while driving, or both. If you use Android Auto or CarPlay, change the setting on the phone, with the phone disconnected from the car first.
Is it legal to use Waze for speed camera alerts in the UK?
An undated Police National Legal Database answer (askthe.police.uk, read 16 October 2026) says devices that only provide camera site locations are lawful in the UK and may be unlawful abroad. GOV.UK says you must not hold and use a phone while driving; a hands-free mount is allowed.
