Abstract: A vehicle communication network provides information about traffic conditions in a local area on a near real time basis. An RF transceiver in a vehicle communicates with other transceivers in other vehicles to relay traffic condition related information. The traffic information can be provided to local vehicles equipped with transceivers, or roadside devices that participate in the communication network. The traffic information is derived from data that may include time, position, velocity, acceleration or other information related to traffic flow. The data can be derived from a GPS, accelerometer or other devices that are typically prevalent in automobiles, whether as standalone units or integrated into the automobile. The transceivers can implement an emergency messaging construct to permit rapid dissemination of traffic information that may be derived from collisions, slowdowns, congestion or other traffic conditions that may prompt drivers to slowdown or otherwise increase vehicle spacing.