Submitted by Mike Grenville on Fri, 09 Dec 2005 15:15

Motorists in the UK can sign up for SMS Traffic Alerts from GetMeThere.co.uk though hopefully the jams ahead won't have been caused by other subscribers reading the alerts while driving....

The service is a joint venture between Toyota GB and IS Solutions and offers the latest traffic conditions, before and during a trip. Drivers plan the trip in detail using GetMeThere.co.uk’s Route Planning software and then sign up for either a Single Trip at 50p per text or Multi Trip at £20 per month that sends up to 160 SMS Traffic Alerts. The Traffic Alerts provide cover for up to 3hrs on any Single Trip.

An example text message would read:
M3 Basingstoke to London, between j5 Hook and J2 slow traffic

The service will only text out a Traffic Alert if a new traffic incident occurs or existing traffic conditions change. Jon West, Director of GetMeThere.co.uk said “We have concentrated on not bombarding our users with ever changing information but ensuring they will have enough to make the right decisions when they need to. There are over 1600 types of Live Traffic Alerts that we collect, so it is essential that we filter this information to ensure its relevance. After all an accident, roadworks or traffic lights out of order don’t necessarily mean there will be any delay in your journey, whereas a road or junction closure on your journey will require at least a re-route.”

Other mobile services offered use the Location Based Service. MobileTraffic sends a map, via WAP push, showing current traffic conditions in the area you are located by texting “TRAFFIC” to shortcode 82085 for £1.

Another service that could prove useful is MobileLost. By texting “LOST” to shortcode 82085, GetMeThere.co.uk will send you a map, via WAP push, showing the area you are located.