Yandex Maps Adds School Warnings for Tashkent Drivers

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Yandex Maps has launched a “School Zone” feature in Tashkent to warn drivers when approaching educational institutions ahead of the new academic year, which begins in Uzbekistan on 2 September, Yandex said.

The feature is designed for drivers whose routes pass near schools. “Children” warning signs appear on the map, while the app issues a voice alert saying, “Please be attentive, there is a school nearby” when the permitted speed is exceeded. The warning reminds drivers to slow down and pay closer attention to road conditions in areas where children may be present.

Yandex Maps also recommends checking traffic conditions in advance on the morning of 2 September and comparing available travel options. Users can compare routes by car, public transport and on foot before choosing the most suitable option based on current conditions.

For bus journeys, the app shows the vehicle’s location in real time and predicts its arrival at the stop. This allows users to adjust their plans before leaving home if their usual route becomes less convenient.

For walking trips, users can select the “Green Route” option. When building such a route, the app takes into account the presence of trees and areas with less direct sunlight to offer a more comfortable path.

Yandex Maps also reported increased user interest in locations related to the start of the academic year. On the first school day of 2025, searches for the “Science and Education” category on the service were 36.2% higher than on other days in September.

In Tashkent, searches for schools increased by almost 75% that day. Searches for private schools rose by almost 87%, while searches for lyceums increased by 61% and searches for universities by more than 40%.

Interest also increased in places that may be needed to prepare for classes. Searches for copy centers rose by 59.2%, while searches for stationery stores increased by 14.3%.

To reduce the time spent searching in the morning, users can open a school’s listing in Yandex Maps in advance, check the location of its entrance and save the route. The service can also be used to find nearby stationery stores and copy centers and check their opening hours.

Yandex Maps allows users to search for organizations and city locations, view information including opening hours, photos, ratings and reviews, and build routes by car, public transport or on foot. The app is available on Google Play and the App Store.