Waze's New Features Are Finally Here, Two Years After Being Promised

The update in January 2026 focuses on proactive warnings to help drivers anticipate road conditions. Hazard warnings: The app will now alert you before you approach sharp curves, speed bumps, and toll booths, giving you more time to adjust your speed.

Waze is finally rolling out five new features designed to improve driver safety, though they arrive nearly two years after the company first announced them. As reported by PCMag, the update for the popular navigation mobile app was first promised back in March 2024. The long-awaited additions include alerts for upcoming hazards and better guidance for complex junctions.

What are the new Waze features?

The update in January 2026 focuses on proactive warnings to help drivers anticipate road conditions. For many, these are welcome additions that address common driving frustrations.

Hazard warnings: The app will now alert you before you approach sharp curves, speed bumps, and toll booths, giving you more time to adjust your speed.
Speed limit changes: You will get notifications for sudden decreases in the speed limit, which helps avoid abrupt braking.
Roundabout assistance: Navigation for roundabouts is improved. Waze says it will provide "clear introductions that show you the best lane to choose and where to exit."
Emergency vehicle alerts: Waze will warn you about first responders parked on the side of the road. However, this feature is launching only in the US, Canada, France, and Mexico for now.
Route preferences: The app will begin to learn your preferred routes and favour them when travel times are similar to other options.

A long-overdue catch-up

None of these features are revolutionary. The two-year delay between announcement and rollout has given competitors time to implement similar functions. These updates feel less like an innovation and more like Waze playing catch-up to Google Maps.

In practice, Google Maps has often been considered the more comprehensive tool due to its somewhat accurate directions in the UAE and wealth of information such as knowing if a place will be closed by the time you arrive. Some of these new additions will help Waze close the gap, adding safety layers that users have wanted for some time. Why it took two years to deliver them remains unclear.

When to expect the Waze update in UAE

Waze has stated the new features will roll out to all users globally in the "coming weeks." This means users in the UAE should see the update appear in their app soon. The update is free for all users on both iOS and Android.

The one exception is the emergency vehicle notification. There is currently no timeline for when this safety feature will be available in the UAE or the wider GCC region, as the company is prioritising its launch in North America and France.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new Waze features?

Waze is adding five main features: warnings for sharp curves, speed bumps, and toll booths; alerts for sudden speed limit drops; improved roundabout navigation; emergency vehicle notifications; and route preference learning.

When will Waze's new features be available?

The features are rolling out globally in the 'coming weeks' from late January 2026. This comes almost two years after Waze first announced them in March 2024.

Does Waze warn about speed bumps?

Yes, one of the key new features is an alert that warns you when you are approaching a speed bump, giving you time to slow down safely.

How does Waze compare to Google Maps with these new features?

These updates help Waze become more competitive with Google Maps by adding important safety and navigation aids. However, they are largely catch-up features, as Google Maps already offers a similarly robust navigation experience.