LAST week's events demonstrated the perils of being stuck in a traffic jam. Although petrol is now flowing smoothly again, there's nothing more frustrating than coming to a standstill.

Until recently the best weapon a motorist had was the humble radio but traffic reports every hour are useless for the fast-moving traveller when the situation can change by the minute.

A new product from Trafficmaster, world leader in the provision of real-time traffic information and the folks who erected all those strange blue poles on the roadside we all mistook for speed cameras, could offer the answer.

Known as Trafficmaster YQ2 it's a new in-vehicle, screen-based unit that displays clear information on traffic hold-ups and problems on 8,000 miles of motorways and trunk roads in England, Wales and Scotland.

It combines a liquid crystal display screen with a sophisticated mini computer, in a compact unit designed to fit on the dashboard of any car, van or truck.

You navigate the screen by simple push buttons so you don't need a degree in rocket science to get it to work.

Traffic congestion is shown on the map screen as an arrowhead-shaped icon signifying the speed and direction of the traffic at that point, allowing the driver to decide on an alternative route well ahead of the problem area.

And, as the screen displays congestion information for the whole country, planning ahead for cross-country journeys could not be simpler - although when we tried YQ2's predecessor it was a bit late in warning of traffic hold-ups. On a run through Glasgow I could see the queue before the Traffic Master unit warned me of a jam.

YQ2 has another handy feature. It acts as a text receiver so, just like a mobile phone, simple messages can be sent to the unit by business colleagues, family or friends.

They are displayed on the map screen, automatically overriding the traffic information as they arrive. YQ2 can receive and store up to 50 text messages and there is no charge to the YQ2 owner for this service.

YQ2 is easy to install (a universal mounting kit is supplied), with power taken from the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket. The built-in rechargeable battery allows YQ2 to be used for several hours before a recharge is required and the optional desk stand with mains power supply ensures that YQ2 can be used or recharged at home or in the office.

Trafficmaster YQ2 is available now by post free mail order through Trafficmaster Customer Services on 0800 707070, and from this month at Halfords, priced at £189.99 including VAT.

It comes complete with a one-month information key. For continued access to the service, further information keys can be purchased for six or twelve month periods.

l Gadgetman's word of the week. WAP: Stands for Wireless Application Protocol and is the latest thing in mobile phones. Uses a cut-down browser for accessing web based services. Internet pages (like The Northern Echo's Thisisthenortheast.co.uk) have to be specially written for WAP phones. Despite early signs of promise WAP has so far failed to deliver. Better technology is already on the way. Could it become the Betamax of mobile phone browsers?