Technology and automotive apps can play a big part in helping relieve the stress of driving on Britain’s busy and unevenly maintained roads.
Life in the fast lane can be difficult, whether it is avoiding potentially damaging potholes, finding a parking spot, or locating the nearest EV charging station. But, modern apps can often come to the rescue of motorists who might be feeling the strain.
Below, Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, reveals five of the best tech must-haves for anyone who demands a hassle-free drive:
1. Smart Dash Cam
“There are a growing number of apps that turn your ordinary smartphone into a dash cam, without having to fork-out for a dedicated camera.
“Dash cams can be extremely important when it comes to protecting yourself on the road. If you ever happen to be in an accident, having everything recorded can be helpful, as it makes it easier for authorities to determine who was at fault. The footage can also aid any insurance claims.
“Apps like ‘Smart Dash Cam’ still allow you to play music through your phone, and use ‘loop recording,’ where old videos are overridden by newer ones, so that you never max out your phone’s storage space.”
2. Petrol Prices
“Nobody wants to pay extortionate prices for their fuel, especially as the cost of living crisis continues.
“Apps like Petrol Prices or myRAC allow you to view the cheapest fuel pumps in your local area, as well as to submit your own prices for others to make use of.
“The Petrol Prices app covers 98% of the UK, with 8,500 petrol stations, so you will not have to break the bank.”
3. Waze
“Waze, a subsidiary of Google, calculates the best driving route based on what other drivers in the community have fed back into the app.
“Waze users can flag accidents and congestion in real time, and the app automatically reroutes you to avoid those areas if necessary.
“It’s all about finding the quickest way to get to your destination – even if it means going a way you might never have taken before.
“And, crucially, Waze also warns you of imminent potholes in the road, with any significant road craters flagged by other ‘Wazers’. That could help you swerve an expensive pothole repair bill at your local garage.
“Waze is also heaps of fun, allowing you to change the navigation voice to dogs, cats, zombies, and even Karamo Brown from TV’s Queer Eye.”
4. Parkopedia
“Nothing can ruin a journey more than not being able to find a car park once you reach your destination – enter Parkopedia.
“This free app connects you to the closest possible parking spaces, as well as letting you know how much each stay will cost you. It’s definitely a handy app if you’re visiting a new city for the first time.”
5. Zapmap
“Apps like Zapmap are designed specifically for electric vehicle drivers who need to search for public EV charging points.
“You can view live availability information, plan your journey, pay for charging, and even share live updates with other app users. You can also hone in on charge points according to your personal preferences, with filters like ‘user rating’ and ‘multiple charger locations.”
