The best way to avoid fines is to follow the rules properly. The second-best way is to avoid traffic controls altogether. This is possible with the new Dutch app Range.
Range is most popular navigation app
Range is immediately very popular. The app, less than two weeks old, is currently the most popular navigation app in the App Store. With the app, anyone can indicate where the police or government carry out traffic controls. This does not only apply to motorists; Travelers on a moped or bicycle, passengers in public transport and pedestrians can also use the app to report or avoid checkpoints.
Reporting speed cameras and speed traps has been standard practice for years. Apps like Flitsmeister have hundreds of thousands of users who rely on their flash notifications. Since last year, Google Maps has also provided the option to report speed traps to other users while navigating.
More than speed traps
However, range goes much further than just speed traps. Virtually every government control in every form of traffic can be reported in the app. For example, motorists cannot only indicate where speed cameras are located. It is also easy to indicate checks on papers and the use of mobile telephones behind the wheel.
In addition, the app has the option to report ‘patser checks’. It also provides notifications for checks with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and checks by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, which checks, for example, taximeters and tachograph cards of trucks.
Not just for drivers
Road users who are not in the car can also indicate various checks. For two-wheelers, in addition to speed checks and regular police checks, there are, for example, also paper & helmet checks, bicycle light checks or roller benches. Furthermore, card checks in public transport and ID checks or preventive searches can be seen in the app.
As soon as you report a check, it will appear on the screen fairly quickly. Other users can now also see the control and move around a block if they find it necessary. In addition to the location, it is also optional to provide a description for each check. If you have seen an already reported control in the area with your own eyes, you can confirm it. If it is already over, you can indicate that too. Checks in your area immediately appear when you open the app.
Range’s popularity doesn’t come out of the blue. The makers of the app have been collecting police reports for a year now. They started in WhatsApp group chats, where they accumulated thousands of followers over time. Then they put a similar Instagram account on, where they now have 22,000 followers.
Range free to download and use
In doing so, they have laid a strong foundation for a successful launch of their first app. The concept is not entirely new. Appeared a few years ago roadie in the App Store with similar functionality. However, this app is no longer functional. Range is more extensive, looks nice and works easily. The app is free to download and use.