Google Maps' New 'Stay Safer' Feature Lets You Alert Contacts, Share Live Location

One of the new features introduced by Google is already available on popular messaging application WhatsApp

• Can either share your live location or be alerted if the driver goes off route. 

• Currently available only for Android users.

• Google has not revealed when iOS users will get the update.

Google has updated its Maps application with a new ‘Stay Safer’ feature. This new feature is aimed at increasing the safety of users who use the application to navigate, but don't drive themselves.

The new feature is accessible once a user has chosen a route. It has two further options to choose from. You can choose to get updates if you go off-route and also share the status of your trip with someone else.

In case of the off-route option, Google will notify you if your driver goes more than 0.5km off the given route. For the trip sharing feature, Google will share your live location with family and friends of your choice. This feature is available in popular messaging application Whatsapp too.

The feature is only available for Android users currently. Google has not revealed when iPhone users can expect to get this functionality on their phones.