[onadraw]

Anybody tried trapster to see police speed traps. I just installed it but wonder if anyone has any experience with it.

Heard about it on my local news.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/money/...storyid=105176

[TroyDBrown]

Sounds interesting, I don't think it is as easy as they make it sound.

[NickfromIL]

Wirelessly posted

Does this use GPS to determine your location?

[BBcharel]

It will probably cost you a lot if you have to pay for the grps connections when it's on.

[Justinangil]

I just saw it on CNN.com

Speed traps -- new way to avoid them - CNN.com

I signed up and D/Led the Blackberry program. I'm unable to get this to work. I think I need a GPS Device

[squeff]

Originally Posted by BBcharel

It will probably cost you a lot if you have to pay for the grps connections when it's on.

Not if you have unlimited data, which is the norm in the United States. The person asking the question is on AT&T.

[cgarrabr]

Originally Posted by onadraw

Anybody tried trapster to see police speed traps. I just installed it but wonder if anyone has any experience with it.

Heard about it on my local news.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/money/...storyid=105176

I had it installed on my 8820 for a bit. Seem to do what it claimed, but it's only as good as the people posting where traps are. If you are only one person using the service in a particular area, then really it's no good to you. That's what I understood of it. Maybe I'll re-install and play around with it some more.

[Sparkomatic]

I installed it as well. Does what it says but I agree that it's not 'super easy'. I was on a toll road, saw a cop parked on the side and decided to report it to Trapster. Had to open the program, wait for it to acquire a GPS location and then report it. By the time all that happened, I know the exact location wasn't correct.

I do think it's fun to check out the map on my mac though and see where people are reporting traps. Plus, as cgarrabr said, it's only going to be as good as the people posting. They do have a system where you can rate the people posting as to their accuracy. Maybe I'll give it another try when I get my Bold!

[fizz]

Yes this works, i've used it for about 2 months now and still report new sightings as I'm driving. It's very cool and there was an article about it not too long ago saying how cops love the fact that people are using this (you would think otherwise due to quotas) however it was stated that it can save lives if less people speed which is true IMO.

[oakie]

Originally Posted by Sparkomatic

I installed it as well. Does what it says but I agree that it's not 'super easy'. I was on a toll road, saw a cop parked on the side and decided to report it to Trapster. Had to open the program, wait for it to acquire a GPS location and then report it. By the time all that happened, I know the exact location wasn't correct.

I do think it's fun to check out the map on my mac though and see where people are reporting traps. Plus, as cgarrabr said, it's only going to be as good as the people posting. They do have a system where you can rate the people posting as to their accuracy. Maybe I'll give it another try when I get my Bold!

the point is to leave the application running as if you were using the device for navigation and/or getting updates on possible upcoming traps. this allows you to flag "hotspots" quickly should you run across one. i can see how this could be expensive for people who cant afford an unlimited data plan, though... and it's those who can least afford a ticket. i guess the easiest and most effective way is to simply obey the rules of the road and be attentive.

Originally Posted by fizz

however it was stated that it can save lives if less people speed which is true IMO.

speed is rarely the cause of highway accidents (police chases notwithstanding)... now the sudden decrease of speed and inattention, OTOH, are. for example, cars dont suddenly flip over when they do 80mph... wrecks happen at all speeds, usually due to traffic ahead not moving as quickly as the person coming from the rear (be it a sudden lane change, obstruction, traffic jam, poor braking skills/tailgating). the few related to people making poor lane change decisions without observing account for some, while the rest are the fault of the guy coming up from behind just not paying enough attention to slow/brake in a timely manner to avoid an accident... which can happen at 15 or 500mph. IMO, applying the brakes on a motorway without due cause/tailgaters should be a ticketable offense... the ONLY reason to brake on a highway should be for road obstructions/emergencies only as speed can be managed effectively with only the accelerator pedal if you're paying attention to the road conditions ahead. the 55mph limit was instituted due to the oil embargo of the 70's in an attempt to conserve gas, not save lives. in fact, highway deaths have decreased since the limit was lifted, even as the number of drivers on the road have increased.

but even the NHTSA and the insurance industry both agree that speed is not a major factor in most highway deaths... but governments do since it's an easily ticketable offense and a revenue generator that many municipalities now rely on to fund road maintenance.

[oakie]

also if you have a datalogger, you can prove your actual traveling speed if you do get pulled over.

just review the data first before you show the cop, or you may accidentally incriminate yourself.




and i would like to add that it would be cool if this program could be fully integrated into an active navigation system and not just google maps.

[huyanhle]

I can never trust this over my Escort, but amazing software. Who would ever think I can see such warning on my phone. Amazing I wonder what's coming next.

Would this be nice, your sitting down at the local starbucks. Register to you account, as soon as your friend is in the proximity, it will alert them that your their at starbucks.

[Sparkomatic]

Originally Posted by oakie

the point is to leave the application running as if you were using the device for navigation and/or getting updates on possible upcoming traps.

Ummmm....yeah, I get the point of the software. I was just giving an example of my use of it. As I'm not in my car 100% of the time, I happened to use it while the program wasn't running. It's a very 'real world' example in my opinion.

[BBChristopher]

I use ths app all the time, and I think its great.
I encourage everyone to use it. The more people that are reporting, the more accurate it will be

[trooperdjb]

Originally Posted by oakie

also if you have a datalogger, you can prove your actual traveling speed if you do get pulled over.

just review the data first before you show the cop, or you may accidentally incriminate yourself.




and i would like to add that it would be cool if this program could be fully integrated into an active navigation system and not just google maps.

The use of a datalogger to contest a speeding ticket has been ruled inadmissable in several cases over the last couple years where people had logs from their handheld GPS that disagreed with the radar gun speed used by the police. Judges have consistently ruled that the radar has the final say.

[someguyx]

darn. now i know what its like to be trapped in an appless world.

[EvanTheHitMan]

do u have this on ur phone and if so, how do u like it???