GPS apps sending drivers through Quincy side-streets, upsetting local residents

QUINCY, Mass. — A busy Quincy road is causing problems for a nearby neighborhood. People who live on Willow Avenue off of Newport Avenue and Furnace Brook Parkway say Google Maps and Waze are bringing unwanted traffic to the area.

Neighbors say it’s been happening for more than two years and is becoming dangerous. They’ve tried several ways to make it stop, including putting up signs that clearly state the street is a one-way between 3 and 6 p.m.

Still, some drivers keep ignoring the signs.

“They’re going fast, they’re running the stop sign, they’re violating the one-way,” said Tom Carter, a neighbor. “It’s been a joke.”

Even when cars are going the 25 miles per hour speed limit on Willow Ave, accidents happen. In mid-February a mirror was knocked off of a parked car; the person who hit it just kept going.

>>>MORE: Man dies after being shot in Dorchester

“You can’t be on the street, especially during rush hour,” Carter said.

It’s been happening for more than two years and some neighbors are blaming it on GPS apps.

“One of those companies that directs cars, Waze, uses this as a cut-through street,” Carter alleged.

One of our reporters decided to put it to the test, using both Waze and Google Maps to go from Furnace Brook Parkway to Newport Road.

On both apps, the driver was told to go towards Newport Ave, however, Google Maps had them cut through Willow Ave while Waze wanted them to cut through on George Road. Both would bring unwanted traffic into residential areas.

“There’s two schools here,” said Mike Manganaro, another neighbor. “Kids aren’t paying attention, they’re in the middle of the street, cars are beeping at them and it’s just a dangerous situation for everybody.”

People who live on Willow Ave want to see a reduced speed limit, flashing yellow lights and more police officers patrolling during rush hour.

“If we had stricter enforcement once in a while, I think it would help out quite a bit,” Manganaro said.

Waze and Google Maps did not respond to our reporter’s requests for comment by the time of publication. A city councilor has a town hall scheduled for next week to address the traffic concerns.

© 2020 Cox Media Group