Waze app provides real-time traffic reports and directs drivers accordingly

(WXYZ) - The next time you find yourself in a traffic jam, maybe on the way to work or after dropping the kids at school, there's an app that can come to your rescue.

Waze is a smartphone application that collects real-time reports from its nearly three million users to help reduce driving time and cut down on gas.

How does it work? It's simple really. You open the application on your phone, type in your destination and leave it to do the rest. Using the GPS feature on your phone Waze then provides turn-by-turn direction by monitoring the speed and location of other nearby Waze users.

So, If the app detects a slowdown of drivers at one particular intersection it reroutes you in real-time.

Users who want to take a more active role can give other dirvers a heads up by providing info on speed traps, broken traffic lights or other hazards.

To find out more about Waze and to download the app click here .