Wrong Waze? Neighbors blame popular app for heavy traffic in DC neighborhood

WASHINGTON - The popular Waze app may be to blame for rerouting drivers through one northwest DC neighborhood, and it's causing a lot of frustration for people who live there.

Residents along Manning Place NW say they've been dealing with congestion and speeding drivers in their neighborhood for the past year, especially in rush hour. The street itself isn't that wide, so it's easy to imagine what happens during rush hour when drivers are zooming by to either cut through or avoid traffic.

A recent traffic survey found that at least 1,200 cars pass down Manning Place NW every day. Neighbors believe it's technology and apps like Waze that are causing drivers to take a detour through what used to be their quiet neighborhood.

Brightly-colored stand-up signs that look like construction men are placed on the street in an effort to get drivers to slow down to the 25 MPH speed limit, but neighbors say it's not working.

Ted Keefer lives in the neighborhood, and he told FOX 5 that right now, his car is in the shop because someone passing through the neighborhood sideswipped it, and just kept going.

"I have no problem with technology avoiding traffic jams or accidents, but when it's used to cut through residential neighborhoods to avoid one or two lights, I think it's not a good idea," Keefer said.

FOX 5 is told there's a petition in the works to make changes to Manning Place NW so that cars can't easily access it from the main thoroughfare. They're working with DDOT and city leaders on a plan.