How Ghost's Police Alerts Work
Fixed cameras never move, so a database handles those. Police patrols and mobile cameras do move — the only thing that can warn you about them is other drivers. Ghost turns every driver on the road into a live sensor. Here's how the crowdsourced layer works, end to end.
The loop: spot → report → confirm → alert
- Spot it. You pass a police car, a mobile camera, a crash or a hazard.
- Report it. One tap on the report button, pick the type. Your position is attached automatically — no typing while driving.
- Others confirm. The next drivers to reach that spot get the alert and can tap still there or gone.
- Everyone's warned. Anyone approaching within range gets a chime and an on-screen bar, in time to react.
What you can report
| Type | Alert on approach |
|---|---|
| 👮 Police | Red bar + chime ~300 m out |
| 📷 Mobile camera | Amber bar + chime ~350 m out |
| 💥 Crash / hazard | Red bar + chime on approach |
| 🚧 Road closure | Marker + reroute prompt |
| 🐢 Traffic | Feeds the live congestion overlay |
Why confirmations matter
A report is only useful if it's current. Ghost keeps the map honest two ways:
- Expiry — an active report ages out after about two hours on its own, so nothing lingers forever.
- Confirm / deny — drivers passing the spot vote it up (still there) or down (gone). Real, present hazards get refreshed; things that have moved on get cleared quickly.
The more drivers using Ghost on a road, the sharper the picture — the network effect that made Waze work, pointed squarely at Australian conditions.
How you're warned while driving
- Voice + chime — an audible alert so you never have to stare at the screen.
- Coloured bar — red for police/hazards, amber for cameras, appearing as you close in.
- Direction-aware — camera alerts respect which way the camera faces and which way you're travelling, cutting false alarms.
- Hands-free by design — reporting is a single large tap; confirmations are one tap. Mount your phone and keep your eyes up.
Join the network
Every report you make protects the drivers behind you — and theirs protect you. No sign-up, no cost.
Open Ghost free →Is it legal?
Ghost relays the same kind of information a passenger calling out "cop ahead" would give you, plus the locations of publicly signposted fixed cameras. You're responsible for driving to the road rules and for using your phone lawfully — mounted and hands-free. Ghost is a road-safety and awareness tool, not a licence to speed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a police report stay on the map?
Active reports expire after about two hours. Confirmations keep a still-present report alive and denials clear stale ones, so the map reflects the road right now.
Do I need an account?
No. Reporting and receiving alerts need no sign-up — just open the map and allow location.
What types of things can I report?
Police, mobile cameras, crashes, hazards, road closures and traffic. Each has its own marker and approach alert.
Does it work in the background?
Ghost is a web app (PWA) you can install to your home screen. Keep it open while navigating for continuous alerts and voice guidance.