I've been using this and it's overkill for my commute because I already know all the known locations. I silenced the "often hide" warnings and run it in the background in case an active trap is reported (though it seems I'm often the only one in the Bay Area actively reporting any traps). I figure its better than nothing. On drives to less familiar roads, I think it could very valuable to identify the places police often hide.

About trapster, in case anyone has no idea what I'm talking about:

Trapster.com is a free active web and GPS-based social networking utility for monitoring police radar traps, red-light cameras, etc. You can install it on your iphone, Droid, Blackberry, Pre, etc (basically any GPS- and data-enabled smartphone). As you drive, it reports known "Police Often Hide Here" locations as well as Live Police reports of active traps. If you see a trap, you can report it on the fly for other users. It reports with voice-activated and speed-sensitive warnings, vibrating, screen, or any combo of the above. It overlays its data on Google Maps and follows your car as you drive.

 

i don't want to register for it -_-
i've used it before and it's useful at times but i want my storm to run at it's top =/

 

THat sounds pretty cool. Has it saved you from any tickets?

How do they keep the data relevant?

 

It hasn't saved me from any tickets because I'm already in the habit of watching my speed at the major trap locations on Highway 17 (there are a number of them). And like I say, it seems like very few people do active reporting of live police locations. I report at least one a day, but if I scroll around the map, the one I reported is usually the only active report I see.

But the static reports of "Police Often Hide Here" are pretty accurate and are given "confidence" by other users who vote thumbs up or thumbs down. If someone reports a dumb spot, it will quickly get voted down to zero confidence and won't trigger alerts. Some spots have dozens of net positive votes, and you can really trust those warnings.

Static red-light camera reports are pretty trustworthy, too.

You can also set it up to text or email you with live police reports in areas you select based on times or days you select (like reports on your commute route only on commute times, and reports around home on the weekend, for instance).

 

that sounds useful yet annoying at the same time

 

I use it! I like to know the routes I drive frequently have or don't have cops on it. Great little tool--just wish more people would sign up to make it even more useful.

Only thing I hate about it is it's pretty laggy..