Traffic jam alert could drive you to distraction

IT IS dubbed a "social network for drivers" and claims to help motorists travelling to the Edinburgh Festival share information about time consuming traffic jams.

But road safety experts have condemned the mobile phone application Waze as illegal, and dangerous for drivers to use behind the wheel. The app, which works by motorists sending in real-time information about traffic jams to be passed on to others, displays trouble spots are on a map on the phone screen. It also shows users how fast other Waze members are travelling.

But police and motoring groups expressed alarm at the development, which they fear will cause a significant distraction to drivers.

The company has targeted festival-goers in a bid to attract the millions of people travelling to the capital during August.

Waze said it hoped drivers heading for Scotland's festivities would sign up for the service "with the Edinburgh Festival kicking off this week and traffic-mare about to enter Edinburgh."

Chief Superintendent Charlie Common, head of casualty reduction for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, warned that anyone found using the app while driving could be found to be breaking the law.

"The use of any distraction device, including smart phones, is illegal and carries the same penalties associated with making a call while driving," he said.

"Knowing first hand the devastation which road traffic accidents have on families, we are committed to stopping those motorists who continue to ignore the safety warnings and risk their life and the lives of others."

Paul Watters, head of roads policy for the Automobile Association, added: "A social media-type system based on user input is fraught with problems such as the accuracy of reports and the risk of drivers using devices while they are driving."

Waze was launched two years ago by an Israeli firm and is now used by five million people in 45 countries, including in the Middle East and United States. The free service expanded to France and Italy last year and is believed to have attracted 100,000 drivers since it was launched in the UK in June.

Waze insisted the app was disabled when the car was detected as moving, but admitted this could be over-ridden by switching it from driver to passenger mode.Yael Elish of Waze said: "Being based on a live and highly- engaged community of drivers is what sets Waze apart.

"For safety reasons, the app is designed to create the most hands-free experience possible.

"Users need only drive with the app open on their phone to passively contribute traffic updates from their journey and are provided voice-guided directions, so they don't need to interact with the app while driving."