More Apps Available to Make Drivers’ Lives Easier
Two Web sites discuss apps that can perform duties including warning drivers of law enforcement traps and reading e-mails and texts out load while someone is driving.
Two Web sites have listed some smart phone apps to help make time in the vehicle easier for drivers.
According to Lakewood 246, one app is available that warns drivers of upcoming radar units, red light cameras, or other speed traps. The app, called Trapster is free for most smart phones, and the information comes from fellow drivers. And that current count of drivers is 8 million. Drivers only have to tap the screen of their smart phone to file an alert. Also, it's not illegal.
AAA TripTik Mobile, offered for free on the iPhone, offers directions and maps, details on AAA-approved hotels, local attractions, and gas stations with current fuel prices, according to Lakewood 246.
iTransitBuddy allows users to load transit schedules onto their smart phones or find the nearest transit station. The app covers New Jersey Transit commuter rail and light rail and PATH, but not the New York subway system, according to Lakewood 246. iTransitBuddy is available on iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android for 99 cents to $2.99, depending on application. Also, Transit Maps loads large-format maps on your mobile device.
Lakewood 246 also covers carmaker apps. Future apps from car manufacturers will include virtual manuals that provide basic operating and troubleshooting information, video demonstrations, and links to roadside assistance and customer-care centers.
Chrysler offers an app for the iPhone with its 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2011 Ram Truck lineup. Hyundai gives out an iPad to new owners of its 2011 Equus SUV, which includes an app with a virtual owner's manual, and allows users to schedule service appointments with valet pickup. And the Mercedes-Benz mbrace app for iPhone allows subscribers to have the customer-care service lock and unlock doors and pinpoint where your car is located if you've forgotten where you parked.
An article on the Web site Technorox highlights additional apps for drivers. Car Finder uses a phone's GPS signal to locate a car in a parking lot or on city streets, but it won't work in an indoor parking garage. This app costs 99 cents for iPhone users.
Green Meter monitors a person's driving while displaying the car's miles-per-gallon, fuel costs, and carbon emissions by using the built-in accelerometer, according to Technorox. This will be charged $5.99 for iPhone.
Drive Safely is yet another app mentioned by Technorox and is free, or $13.95 for premium version for Blackberry and Android. The app reads e-mails and text messages aloud while you drive and will send a message saying you're unavailable.
And Technorox highlights iWrecked, which walks you through what to do after a wreck, such as taking photos, getting information from the other driver, calling 911 and locating services near you. This will be free for iPhone.
More Small Fleet
Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools
Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.
Read More →
Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections
AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.
Read More →
Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries
There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Read More →
It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report
What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.
Read More →
Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America
Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.
Read More →
VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone
A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.
Read More →
Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →
AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski
VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!
Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.
Read More →
Hot Weather Driving Tips for Fleet Drivers
As we head into another potentially extreme summer season, the risks for fleet drivers remain high, from engine strain and tire blowouts to unpredictable traffic patterns. An expert shares advice on how fleet drivers can boost their safety during the steamy summer months.
Read More →