An approach is provided for determining vehicle maneuver events. The approach, for example, involves determining sensor data from a sensor of a device associated with a vehicle. The sensor data includes a maneuver parameter represented using a device frame of reference. The approach also involves transforming the maneuver parameter from the device frame of reference to an Earth frame of reference. The approach further involves automatically detecting a maneuver event of the vehicle based on the maneuver parameter as transformed to the Earth frame of reference. The approach further involves providing the detected maneuver event to a signaling unit associated with the vehicle.