After months of frustration from drivers, Google has quietly fixed one of the most irritating quirks on Android Auto. You can now report accidents and road hazards directly from smaller car displays — a feature that, until recently, was oddly missing for many users.

A long-awaited fix for smaller screens

When Google first rolled out its road incident reporting tool, it seemed like a small but useful update — a way to help drivers warn each other of accidents, speed traps, or broken-down vehicles. But for many Android Auto users, especially those with 7- to 8-inch dashboards, the all-important accident icon didn’t appear.

It wasn’t a software bug, exactly — it was a design limitation. The Google Maps interface on smaller screens lacked sufficient vertical space to display the complete set of buttons. That meant plenty of drivers were stuck without the ability to flag road issues, while others with larger infotainment systems could report them with a single tap.

According to users across online communities and early reports from tech observers, Google has finally redesigned the layout to accommodate smaller displays. The long-missing accident report icon is starting to show up on more vehicles — from compact hatchbacks to mid-sized sedans — after the latest Maps update.

What’s changed in the new interface

To accommodate the extra feature, Google made a few subtle adjustments to the interface. Most notably, the audio guidance shortcut has been removed from the main screen. If you want to tweak your navigation voice or sound levels, you’ll now have to dive into the settings menu manually.

It’s a small trade-off, but one that many drivers will likely accept in exchange for better safety features. After all, the ability to instantly flag an accident, a stopped car, or even roadworks can make a real difference during rush hour — especially when those alerts pop up in real time for others using Google Maps nearby.

One user in an Android Auto forum summed it up nicely: “I’d rather lose one quick setting than miss out on warning others about a pile-up.” It’s hard to argue with that logic.

Goodbye to annoying suggestions?

While this update brings good news, it’s also hinting at another quiet change inside Google Maps. For years, Android Auto users have been divided over the app’s location suggestion panel — that pop-up list of places you might want to drive to, based on your recent habits. Some found it handy; others found it downright intrusive.

Now, it seems that Google is testing a version of Maps that no longer shows these automated suggestions, particularly on smaller screens. Whether this is a permanent decision or just a limited experiment remains unclear, but many drivers will welcome the cleaner, distraction-free interface.

According to early testers, Google may eventually allow users to toggle this feature on or off — a long-standing request in feedback forums.

A safer, smarter driving experience

With this update, Google is proving that interface design matters — especially when it comes to tools used behind the wheel. Even something as simple as resizing icons or rearranging buttons can have a big impact on how safely and smoothly drivers interact with their screens.

The change also reflects a broader trend: making digital dashboards more intuitive for a growing variety of car models, not just high-end vehicles with large displays.

So next time you’re cruising down the motorway and spot an accident, you’ll finally be able to alert others without fumbling through menus or pulling over. It’s one of those minor, quietly practical updates that make tech feel a little more human — and driving, a little safer.