Google/Yahoo Traffic Data

OK so yes my wife and I have a car. Her parents live out on Long Island, and we visit them every so often. It's a luxury to be sure. But you know what's NOT a luxury? Driving in Long Island. The Long Island Expressway is one of the most hated roads in America, and in the summer it can be tortuous with all the beach/Hamptons traffic. Of course, as a native my wife knows various routes to avoid traffic, but sometimes it's just not possible. However, when Yahoo (and then Google) began providing traffic information, it opened a new world to us. We were able to plan our route in advance. And then when Google released Google Maps for Symbian, I was able to check traffic conditions while we were on the road! (It's even nicer on our new iPhones.) Unfortunately, this data isn't always accurate, and it ignores common chokepoints or "short" stretches of traffic. But it has helped us travel with as much ease as humanly possible during times of peak traffic.