Are local authorities formally using Google Maps (or similar) to alert drivers of short term disasters, civil disturbances, etc?

We had a civil protest today in Cape Town at about 13 different locations and the audio descriptions of locations over the radio were not very clear, and I could not find any realtime map view either by search, so I checked Google Maps and noticed this morning that some of the roads were shown as closed. Google Maps, or similarly well-used navigation maps, maker a lot of sense to be used so that drivers can be routed around almost in realtime away from affected areas.

But the question is, is this formally used in Cape Town or by other local authorities, because if so you'd think it was something they'd actively refer drivers to be used for automatic re-routing? Why bother trying to explain about road names that have changed and compass bearings when many drivers use GPSs and no longer know which direction is North?

Somebody had certainly indicated some road closures this morning (and yes it may have been individual drivers reporting it) but it would be good to know there is a more formal process in place.

#capetown #navigation #protests

source https://gadgeteer.co.za/node/3426