The service provides motorists with information on traffic flows and congestion for all state highways and arterial roads across New Zealand. It is updated every five minutes using data collected from thousands of vehicles around the country.

Motorists can view the traffic flow and congestion information free of charge online at www.aaroadwatch.co.nz

“Motorists will now be able to better plan their journeys in advance or choose an alternative route, with less traffic, while trying to reach their destination,” says AA Traffic spokesperson Phil Allen.

“Providing traffic flow and congestion data will result in improved travel times, lower fuel bills, and less stress from unexpected traffic congestion.”

“This is the most important development in real time traffic information we have seen in New Zealand,” says Mr Allen

The AA’s traffic flow and congestion information service has been developed by Geosmart, the AA-owned online mapping company. GeoSmart also supplies traffic information to GPS companies in New Zealand, including TomTom. TomTom utilises this information as part of TomTom HD Traffic on connected GPS devices in New Zealand.

Andrew Cooper, Managing Director, TomTom Asia Pacific says “the introduction of TomTom LIVE Services and HD Traffic to New Zealand marks a fundamental breakthrough in the quality and functionality of GPS devices, giving New Zealand drivers real-time information about road conditions.”

Mr Cooper says “we are very excited to bring TomTom LIVE Services and HD Traffic to New Zealand, the first country in the Asia Pacific to start utilising our world-leading technology. GeoSmart was instrumental in providing a high-quality traffic information feed into our HD Traffic technology. We believe that through innovations such as TomTom HD Traffic, we can reduce overall road congestion.”

The TomTom GO LIVE 1000 in-car navigation unit is available from usual TomTom retail outlets, recommended retail price $549, or $520 at local AA Centres for AA-Members.

The TomTom GO LIVE1050, with world maps, has a recommended retail price of $799 and is available soon at usual TomTom retail outlets.

For more information and images contact

Phil Allen
AA Traffic Spokesperson, M. +64 21 415 310

or

Kimberley Sullivan
TomTom - JML Communications, M. +64 21 985 655

About the AA

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.

About TomTom N.V.

TomTom N.V. (AEX: TOM2) is the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions. Headquartered in The Netherlands, it employs over 3,000 employees worldwide. Over 45 million people daily use its solutions, be it in the form of dedicated portable navigation devices (PNDs), in-dash car systems or tracking and tracing solutions for fleet management. In addition, hundreds of millions of people use TomTom’s digital maps on the internet or mobile phone. In 2009, TomTom reported €1.5 billion in revenues and a €340 million net cash flow from operating activities. More information about TomTom can be found on www.TomTom.com. For the world’s most up-to-date route planner, including LIVE traffic information visit: www.routes.TomTom.com.