When things are running smoothly, motorways and the main trunk roads are the fastest, safest way of driving long distances. However they can become frustrating nightnares when breakdowns and accidents occur or the weight of traffic simply brings them to a standstill. How often have traffic hold-ups seriously affected your journey time, causing you to miss meetings, appointments or even flights?

Now you can use Freeway, a product from Trafficmaster Plc, the world's leading provider of live traffic information. Freeway speaks to the driver, informing of traffic conditions on the Trafficmaster network up to ten miles ahead.

The trafficmaster network covers the country's main motorway network and 95% of main trunk roads. Freeway informs motorists of their position and relays location specific information on the traffic flow, both on the approch and whilst travelling on the Trafficmaster network. The driver then has the opportunity of remaining on his original route or selecting an alterative, thereby reducing the risk of becoming trapped in traffic.

How Trafficmaster pinpoints the jams!
Traffic information is gathered from infra-red sensors mounted on motorway bridges and at the side of the road, located approximately 2-4 miles apart. In total 7,500 sensors monitor the Trafficmaster network and detect changes in vehicle speeds passing each site. When the average speed drops below a predetermined threshold a signal is transmitted to Trafficmaster's National Traffic Data Centre.

The traffic information received at Trafficmaster's National Traffic Data Centre is then transmitted to your vehicle, allowing you to choose a congestion free route on any of Britain's motorways or 95% of main trunk roads. Trafficmaster Freeway, powered by 4 'AA' batteries (not supplied), is attached to any vehicle, simply by affixing two velcro pads - no wiring, no aerials, no fuss. Freeway comes complete with 12 months information which can be renewed for £30 with a simple telephone call (full details in the pack).

Trafficmaster Freeway has two modes and is as simple to operate as it is to fit. In 'manual' mode, each time a message is received by the unit, the signal light flashes. Green, if there is a clear road ahead, red, if there is a detected problem. To hear the latest message, all the driver needs to do is press the single operation button. In 'automatic' mode, the unit automatically speaks the message to the driver. If the route is clear ahead, a simple tone is heard.