Five free smartphone apps for drivers
The L.A. Auto Show is just around the corner, and it’s sure to be packed with exciting cars. Many of them will feature new technologies geared to make the cars run more efficiently and smoothly.
But what about for the driver, many of whom will have smartphones packed with apps that could make driving a little easier?
Here are five free smartphone apps that could help enhance the drive and perhaps save you some money:
GasBuddy
Bargain hunters will want to download GasBuddy. It will help you locate the cheapest gas stations as well as those closest to you. You can also filter results based on the type of fuel you want to put in your vehicle.
Available for Apple, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry devices.
ParkMe
If you’re in Los Angeles or any other busy city, you’ll want ParkMe. It helps you find the cheapest parking based on where you’re heading and how long you’ll need to park your vehicle. Once you’ve parked, you can mark your spot on a map and set a timer for how much time you’ve got left on your spot.
Available only for Apple devices.
Sigalert
Sigalert is simple but efficient. It shows you live traffic for most major cities in the U.S. and how it’s flowing with an intuitive green, yellow and red color scheme. Sigalert also shows you construction zones and accidents, and users can view live traffic cameras wherever they’re available.
Since it’s available only for Apple devices, another option may be Google Maps, which is available for both Android and BlackBerry devices and shows traffic like Sigalert but doesn’t provide access to traffic cameras.
RepairPal
Finding a repair shop can be frustrating. This app helps make the process a little easier by providing an estimate of how much a particular repair may cost based on your location. It also can help you find a nearby repair shop and keep track of your car’s repair history.
Available for Apple and Android devices.
Trapster
Running a red light is a big problem. It’s not only dangerous but can be costly. This app warns the driver of stoplight cameras, dangerous intersections and accidents as well as hidden police officers. It relies on other app users reporting what they see on the road.
Available for Apple, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Palm devices.
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