yes it requires subscription, but it is so much more accurate than others. Both Garmin (with 3D traffic) and Tomtom (HD traffic) claim to have an accurate traffic data service. I have used the Tomtom service for a while now, and it is extremely good. Only on a couple of occasions has it not known about a closed road or hold up, and even then it has just been slow to decide there’s something there. It covers main roads and cities, and includes closed roads too. If I had to guess at an accuracy, it would be 99%. The Garmin 3D traffic is just as quick to load as the Tomtom, but the accuracy is nothing better than totally hopeless. Let me illustrate with some examples: http://satnav-reviewer.co.uk/sample-page/tomtom-hd-versus-garmi