WAZE Notification Error Causes Shopping Gridlock In Wrentham

WRENTHAM, MA — A GPS notification error is being blamed for some of the extreme traffic jams in the areas around the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets on Black Friday. According to Wrentham Police Chief Bill McGrath, the Plainville Police Department erroneously notified the WAZE driving application that Route 1A in Plainville was a blocked road, with drivers then primarily redirected to South Street to Taunton Street in Wrentham.

McGrath said the error was discovered and resolved Friday afternoon, easing traffic.

"Moving forward," McGrath posted on Wrentham police’s Facebook page, "we will review GPS data to avoid repeating the error."

McGrath apologized to shoppers and area residents for the inconvenience.

On Black Friday, McGrath posted a message urging drivers to avoid using GPS directions to cut through residential neighborhoods — some of which were blocked off during the Black Friday and peak weekend shopping hours — and instead use main roads to the Village Outlets.

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