Warning for drivers as major emergency siren to be blasted through your phone in weeks
DRIVERS have been warned about an upcoming emergency siren which will be blasted through mobiles in just a few weeks.
Ministers have been told the emergency alert could cause chaos on the roads as motorists may be startled by the message.
The siren and message are due to go out on April 23, with people’s phones locked until they acknowledge the warning.
However, discussions are now having to be held with the transport sector, domestic violence charities and sporting bosses, as well as the emergency services about the trial.
Motoring organisation the RAC has met with government officials about how to mitigate crashes as a result of the alert.
The president of the AA, Edmund King, has questioned the decision to test the alert on a day when “Sunday drivers” – those less experienced motorists – are on the roads.
He said: “If they have the phone in the car and an odd sound goes off there could be some form of panic.
“Even with a hands-free system, the odd sound could mean they reach for the phone.
“So there’s no doubt there’s a threat of distraction for some drivers.”
It is thought that motorway signs will also be used in the run-up to the test, advising drivers not to check or use their phones.
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While it is possible for people to turn off the alert by altering their phone’s settings, it is hoped that the benefit of being warned about a possible life-threatening situation will mean most Brits decide to keep them on.
Alerts have already been used in parts of Europe, the US, Canada and Japan to warn people about earthquakes, flooding and wildfires and could even be used to warn about ongoing terror attacks.
However, officials have acknowledged that more information about how the alert system would operate in the UK is needed before it could be used in response to a fast-moving attack.
Following the test on April 23, people do not need to take any action other than to hit 'ok' for their phone to function normally again.
The Cabinet Office has said the alerts are secure, free to receive and one-way, and has insisted they do not reveal anyone’s location or gather personal data.
A test of the service has already been carried out on East Suffolk and Reading.
