Why do user reports auto expire?

[randomact]

Personally, I think a pothole should only be reported in one of these cases:
1.) It will swallow your car or cause damage to an average car (not a compact car lowered to a finger-width from the road riding on low profile tires).
2.) It is located in such a way that people are swerving out of their lanes to avoid it.
3.) And maybe if the pothole is throwing up debris when people hit it.

Of course expecting all users to think that hard about a pothole is a pipe dream

I like this list, I've only been reporting them if they pose a danger to traffic because of one of the above reasons. Potholes are a way of life in the winter here too, but rimbending and swerving are when it becomes something to consider routing around.

[harling]

I like this list, I've only been reporting them if they pose a danger to traffic because of one of the above reasons. Potholes are a way of life in the winter here too, but rimbending and swerving are when it becomes something to consider routing around.

If (local) Wazers consider it noteworthy enough to report, the pothole probably does pose a significant, non-short-term hazard by local standards--which means the report should auto-expire after days, not hours.

[AlanOfTheBerg]

But there are still those who are looking for any excuse to get more points and reporting everything from accidents to gentle spring zephyrs.

[gettingthere]

If (local) Wazers consider it noteworthy enough to report, the pothole probably does pose a significant, non-short-term hazard by local standards--which means the report should auto-expire after days, not hours.

Although if the pot hole is lane specific (most are) and if the road is multiple lanes - there won't be enough detail for Wazers passing by to know which lane the pot hole affects. Although even with details the Wazer would then have to click on the report to maybe see the data (if it's not truncated). So minimal value in this type of report anyway... I also wonder if this is just a way to gather points vs. add anything of value. IMO, much more effective to edit the map for points.

Although I suppose someone could just be extra alert in the general area...

I guess I just don't have much appreciation for many of the user generated reports. Police and accident are really the only report types that I pay any attention to. (other then the automated traffic jams that are already factored into the routing)

[harling]

If (local) Wazers consider it noteworthy enough to report, the pothole probably does pose a significant, non-short-term hazard by local standards--which means the report should auto-expire after days, not hours.

Although if the pot hole is lane specific (most are) and if the road is multiple lanes - there won't be enough detail for Wazers passing by to know which lane the pot hole affects...

In my experience, a pothole big enough to be worthy of reporting around here will affect not only the lane in which it occurs, but also the adjoining lanes (into which all the cars are swerving with reckless abandon).

Quick solution for the concern that people make unnecessary reports in order to gain points: stop awarding points for reporting hazards!

[WeeeZer14]

I also wonder if this is just a way to gather points vs. add anything of value. IMO, much more effective to edit the map for points.

I'd rather people spam us with stupid road reports for points instead of doing poor edits