I am sat in my car with the engine running, but I’m not moving. This happens a lot with people who commute, but this is Sunday evening and I’m driving south on the M40. Or rather I’m pointing south. There hasn’t been much driving in the last five minutes or so.

My satellite navigation system is offering me an alternative route by leaving the motorway just two miles ahead, so I decide to check the traffic news on my phone to see if there has been an accident ahead that I should avoid, as the roads are normally fine at this time.

The nice lady at number 2222 greets me like an old friend.

“Welcome to the AA roadwatch service from Vodafone. For news on Major Motorways please press 1. For news on Major A roads please press 2. For news about traffic within 15 miles of your current location please press 3.”

I would like to know what is ahead so I go for the seemingly appropriate option 3.

“We are about to calculate your current position, if you would prefer we didn’t do this please end the call now”

I asked for information on my current location, so why would I suddenly not want them to know where I am? How do people expect to get relevant traffic information without letting them know where you are? I realise I am paying about 50p a minute for this useless reaffirmation of my original choice.

“You are near”, she begins, followed by a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire style pause, “High Wycombe.”

She is correct! Technology is wonderful sometimes. (more…)

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