Waze and Echo Park’s Baxter Street have lately been synonymous in national headlines.

Known as one of the steepest streets in L.A. Baxter slopes at a 32 percent grade, and the navigation app, Waze, has been pegged as the culprit for its congestion.

Earlier this week, L.A. Councilmember Paul Krekorian announced plans for the city’s transportation department to investigate Waze, Google and Apple’s liability in causing dangerous traffic conditions in certain neighborhoods. Among the recommendations is to examine L.A.’s partnership with Waze and other apps, and whether those navigation apps could be held liable for collisions caused by their users.

Krekorian’s motion has raised questions about tech and distracted driving, especially in a city known for its traffic. But how could L.A. city actually hold Waze accountable? And what types of regulations could be put in place?

Here's what some of you had to say about the topic: 

I find that when I use

Tweets by waze

in LA (I live in Long Beach) it often will take me on side streets to cut through a neighborhood that then requires me to turn left from a small street onto a busy thoroughfare when waiting for a light would have been faster and safer.

— Joe Lemble (@JoeLemble)

Tweets by AirTalk

At the end of the day, the drivers are responsible for being safe while driving. We have had maps showing every street in LA for nearly 100 years. The apps should not be liable for simply making it easier to access public information.

— chris (@cphartman)

@AirTalk At the end of the day, the drivers are responsible for being safe while driving. We have had maps showing every street in LA for nearly 100 years. The apps should not be liable for simply making it easier to access public information.

— chris (@cphartman) April 13, 2018

Tweets by AirTalk

educate drivers put up signs and give out traffic tickets. Congestion is not just the driver’s problem it’s the city Engineers. Give pple the tools to travel responsibly

— Back in Black (@ontheqtip)

@AirTalk educate drivers put up signs and give out traffic tickets. Congestion is not just the driver’s problem it’s the city Engineers. Give pple the tools to travel responsibly

— Q DeChambres, Editor (@ontheqtip) April 13, 2018

The app era is a give and take of legislation and technology, as we can see with the current facebook hearings - a few “no left turns between Xam - Zam” will solve 90% of the problems; oh, and better public transportation :)

— Mehmet Bozatli (@mehmetic)

The app era is a give and take of legislation and technology, as we can see with the current facebook hearings - a few “no left turns between Xam - Zam” will solve 90% of the problems; oh, and better public transportation :)

— Mehmet Vahit Bozatlı (@mehmetic) April 13, 2018

With guest host Libby Denkmann

Guest:

Paul Krekorian, Los Angeles City Councilmember representing District 2, which stretches from Studio City to Sun Valley; he introduced the motion to study the negative impact of Waze on L.A. neighborhoods