AA Traffic alerts relating to accidents, roadworks and weather related events are available via email or as text messages to assist motorists with the preparation of their journey.

They can be set for one-way or return commuting routes, regular travel within a specific geographic area, or for holiday travel.

AA spokesperson Phil Allen says "the AA Traffic alerts are yet another exciting development for AA Traffic, and build on the quality live traffic information already provided online for all main and arterial roads; the in-car navigation traffic updates, and airport and ferry information provided for motorists."

From today until 31 December 2009 AA Traffic alerts will be available free via email for all AA Members, and free via text messages exclusively for Telecom mobile customers. From 1 January 2009 the email and text alerts will cost $2.50 for a four-day Weekend Getaway subscription and from $7.50 for a monthly route or area subscription.

"Traffic alerts are regularly used overseas to advise motorists of incidents that may affect their journey. In launching a similar service here in New Zealand, the AA is once again keeping New Zealanders moving."

"We are very mindful of road safety concerns, so before people can subscribe to our AA Traffic Alert service they will need to acknowledge they have read and understood a road safety message relating to texting and driving," says Mr Allen.

The AA developed AA Traffic using GeoSmart, a company owned by the AA and New Zealand's leading supplier of in-car navigation, fleet management, web mapping, route optimisation, and cartography solutions.

For more information about AA Traffic motorists should get online at www.aatraffic.co.nz.

For more information contact

Phil Allen
General Manager - GeoSmart
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. +64 9 966 8630
M. +64 21 415 310
Email: Phil.Allen@geosmart.co.nz

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.