Dear Waze Support Team,
I am writing on behalf of the Town of Cottage City, located at the northeast border of Washington D.C., to request that certain streets within our town be identified as restricted or “No Through Traffic” on the Waze navigation app.
As you may be aware, Cottage City is a small residential community situated near major roadways, including Bladensburg Road (Alt. MD Route 1) and Rhode Island Avenue, which serve as primary routes for commuters entering and leaving Washington D.C. Recently, there has been a significant increase in commuter traffic, particularly during rush hours, as government workers have returned to in-office work after working remotely for the past few years.
The volume of traffic has made our small streets unsafe, with a noticeable increase in accidents, including parked vehicles being hit. In an effort to mitigate this issue, the Town of Cottage City has posted No Through Traffic and Do Not Enter signs at several intersections. These measures aim to prevent commuters from using residential streets as cut-throughs during peak hours.
However, we have noticed that the Waze app is directing drivers through streets such as Cottage Terrace, where there are No Through Traffic signs, specifically during the evening rush hour. This is causing further traffic congestion and safety concerns. Additionally, at the intersection of 38th Avenue and Parkwood Street, there are Do Not Enter signs posted between 4 PM and 7 PM.
In light of these issues, we respectfully request that Waze update its navigation system to recognize the following streets as restricted areas:
- Cottage Terrace (No Through Traffic)
- 38th Avenue and Parkwood Street (Do Not Enter between 4 PM to 7 PM)
By marking these streets as restricted, Waze will help reduce congestion and improve safety for residents and drivers alike. We would also like to inform you that Cottage City Police have been issuing warnings to violators, but they will begin issuing fines starting on April 2, 2025.
For any further information or clarification, please feel free to contact the Cottage City Police Department at 301-927-9225.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your assistance in helping make our community safer.
Respectfully,
Cottage City Police Department
