Cell phones are no longer used exclusively for talking. Chances are you or someone you know has bought into the smartphone technology. While there is a lot of talk (including here at KMM) about distracted driving due to smart phone usage, developers have now created apps (applications) that can help you have a safer commute.  From apps that measure your distance between cars, read your email, or inform you of approaching traffic, there’s an app for that!

Don’t drive to work? No problem! There are apps for NJ transit riders, and Rutgers University transit users, apps that track miles pedaled and apps that teach you how to repair your bike out on the road. You can even take a Hike or a bike ride through the Monmouth Battlefield with an app. It’s all there, right in the palm of your hand. So read on and maybe you’ll find a new favorite app that can smarten your commute. Then go on to Facebook and tell us about some of your favorite commuting apps.

Always remember, whether you’re driving, biking, or walking, please put the cell phone away and keep your eyes on the road. You’re only one distraction away from an accident.

iOntheRoad – An app that uses the smartphone’s native camera and sensors to detect vehicles in front of the vehicle, alerting drivers when they are in danger. As your distance between the vehicles in front of you lessens, iOnRoad signal changes colors, from green to yellow to red. This lets you know you are dangerously close to the car ahead of you, allowing you to carefully decelerate. Avaiable for free on Android, coming soon to iPhone.

DriveSafe.ly^{™  –}  DriveSafe.ly^™ is a mobile application that reads text (SMS) messages and emails aloud in real time and automatically responds without drivers touching the mobile phone.
DriveSafe.ly is the solution to texting while driving. Free version available for Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Blackberry. There is also a paid version.

iMapMyRIDE – tracks the route, distance, pace, and more in real-time using GPS. Users can track the route, time, distance, speed, pace and calories in real-time for their fitness activities using their GPS enabled mobile device. iMapMyRIDE+ is great for cycling, bike riding, weight loss, calorie counting, training, and more, and is an integral part of the MapMyRIDE platform, by MapMyFITNESS. Available free on Android, iPhone and Blackberry.

Bike Repair by Atomic Softwares – Bike Repair has 51 highly detailed photo repair guides and 71 bicycle problems explained, including common aches and pains while on the bike (there are simple things to do to get rid of that knee pain). Bike Repair is the most simple and complete bicycle repair app for your smartphone. It has over 230 studio quality photos explaining you step by step what to do. Available on iPhone and Android for about $3

All Trails-Hiking & Biking by AllTrails, Inc. – The outdoors at your fingertips! AllTrails is THE app for finding trails nearest you. Going on a trip to a national park? Looking for a place near home to hike or run? Looking for something new to do on the weekends? Even in a big city you might be surprised by how much nature surrounds you. Browse through over 40,000 high-quality trail guides for outdoor activities including everything from hiking, mountain biking, and trail running to fly fishing and snowshoeing. Available free on Android & iPhone.