Speed cameras are a driver’s enemy. Luckily for fast drivers, a new app alerts whizzing motorists of any upcoming robot-snitches on the road, ChicagoGrid reports.
It’s called “The Cobra iRadar” version 3.2 and the app is available for iPhone users through the mechanical craftiness of local programmers in Chicago. When drivers approach a speed camera, users are shown a map displaying the speed trap’s location and its distance from your own position.
“The app creates a social community of travelers who can share real-time traffic information while receiving locations of speed cameras, red-light cameras, caution areas, speed traps and real-time alerts to radar laser activity,” the site reports. “No information is collected about the user; it’s all about the location. The app’s data get updated twice a day with new camera locations.”
As you can imagine, Chicago elected officials and authorities aren’t too thrilled about the app. But so far, the app producers have victoriously remained in business because “it’s hard to argue against people being more alert and cautious,” the site added. Only a higher court has jurisdiction to set limitations for traffic app developers.
“We are simply giving [drivers] a heads-up. We’re not jamming anything,” said Chris Kooistra, Cobra Electronics’ marketing director.
And the law is on the side of both drivers and the app creators. “As long as you don’t violate other laws, it’s within your purview to warn people that there’s a cop here,” said Jessica Levinson, a teacher at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
The app, which currently has one million users, costs $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year. You can also purchase a Cobra brand radar detector, costing members $99 to $299, which lets drivers know if their speed is being monitored by law enforcement. Seems like a lot of expense when you can simply slow down. Is it worth the price?
