GPS Prevent – the modern day radar detector that isn’t one

December 17, 10:58 PMGadgets ExaminerDan Appleman

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This GPS knows where the traffic cameras
and road hazards are located.

Once upon a time radar detectors were the rage – so many drivers bought them to avoid speed traps that some localities outlawed them. These days traffic cameras are more the issue. With their ability to shoot some pictures, read the license plate and automatically issue a citation, they are the perfect revenue generator for cities and counties, quickly paying for themselves as fines continue to increase.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could have instant warnings based on an updated list of known traffic cameras? Why not include other road hazards? Or even warnings if you are speeding based on the local speed limit?

Fortunately, there’s an increasingly popular device that is perfect for this kind of task – your car GPS. GPS Prevent takes on this task in Europe, with both a standalone unit, and software that can be loaded on compatible GPS units.

That’s the good news. The bad news for most readers of this column is that at the moment, only a European database is available – which isn’t much help here in the U.S.

The bad news for GPS Prevent is that there’s little doubt that current GPS makers will smarten up and at some point start including this capability in their standard units. But until then, if you’re in Europe, this one is worth a look. After all, one missed speeding ticket would probably pay for it.