More Apps Available to Make Drivers’ Lives Easier

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.