[Infowarrior] - App finds D.C. one of the toughest for speed enforcement

[Richard Forno]

App finds D.C. one of the toughest for speed enforcement (VIDEO)

Wednesday - 9/5/2012, 5:57pm  ET

 
http://www.wtop.com/41/3020840/App-finds-DC-one-of-the-toughest-for-speed-enforcement-VIDEO

Editor's note:This article previously stated, "There are 349 separate traffic-enforcement cameras in Washington, both for speed and running red lights," according to Trapster. However the Metropolitan Police list a total of 178 speed and red light cameras. Trapster confirms this number. The original statement has been removed.

Megan Cloherty, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - The D.C. area is one of the worst for speed cameras, speed patrols and tickets.

D.C. falls in the top 10 toughest cities for drivers in a list compiled by CNBC using the app Trapster. The survey didn't just look at police enforcement, but also took into consideration red-light and speed cameras, reports Car Insurance.org.

While drivers may not know the city must post a list of speed cameras and red light cameras, those cameras catch drivers everyday.

Top 10 worst driving cities:

	• New York
	• Los Angeles
	• Houston
	• Las Vegas
	• Washington, D.C.
	• St. Louis, Mo.
	• Orlando, Fla.
	• Chicago
	• Colorado Springs, Colo.
	• Austin
CarInsurance.org

Drivers tired of being surprised by red light cameras and speed enforcement are using Trapster, an app that warns drivers of nearby speed cameras and patrols using both WiFi and GPS technology. The company uses the data from its users to determine which cities are the best and worst for speed cameras and speed patrols.

More than 16 million drivers have downloaded the app and listed 5 million speed cameras and patrols, according to Trapster.

The free app works by monitoring the driver's current speed while it also tracks where the driver is and warns him of upcoming road closures, traffic, patrols, speed cameras, red light cameras or known enforcement points, as reported by other drivers. It also alerts drivers to upcoming construction and school zones where reduced speeds are enforced.

The app covers the D.C. area.

Pete Tenereillo develops and runs Trapster out of California.

"One great thing about that is that it's hands-free," Tenereillo tells CNN.

"You don't have to be looking at the phone or even be holding it to be notified of the speed trap - which, of course, is safer, because you don't have to take your eyes off the road to be notified of the trap," he says.

Drivers can determine which alerts they want to get, so if they know of a speed camera they pass everyday, they can manage their alerts to skip that one. Users can also pick from a long list of voices and have the app speak to them so they don't have to look at their phone during the drive.

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