A method for selectively providing traffic information to a user without requiring the user to constantly monitor radio broadcasts is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: determining at least one area of interest including a plurality of latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates; receiving traffic data including information related to a plurality of traffic events; parsing the traffic data for any of the traffic events located within at least one area of interest; and outputting a traffic event message to an output device if the latitudinal and longitudinal location of the related traffic event is located within the at least one area of interest.