With an intention to help motorists beat traffic and save time, Web search giant Google released a beta traffic update to its Maps Navigation software.

Google Maps’ newest Android version, 5.2.1, provides free voice-guided navigation assistance to users and automatically directs them around traffic.

Formerly, the app used to recommend the quickest path to reach one's destination but it did not provide information on traffic conditions.

But, the new update takes traffic conditions into account.

Expressing happiness on the launch of the new service, Google Maps software engineer Roy Williams said that the new app should add up to quite a bit of time saved.

However, the company warned, "Keep in mind that we can’t guarantee that Navigation will be able to find a faster way, but it will always try to get you where you’re going as fast as possible.”

The real-time traffic data service will in the United States, Canada and Europe. For detailed information on the Google Maps Navigation app, one can access google. com/mobile/navigation.