The government is set to test a new emergency siren on phones across the UK in a matter of weeks.
The siren will flash upon devices with a warning message attached on Sunday, April 23 as authorities carry out a nationwide test of the new system. People will be required to acknowledge the government alert if their phone is locked.
However, the alert test could wreak havoc on the roads up and down the country if drivers are stunned by the alarm. Motorists will need to use their phone to acknowledge the alarm before continuing to drive.
The alert is causing some concern when it comes to the risk of travel disruption and even crashes on the road.
Discussions are now being held with the transport sector as well as with domestic charities and sporting officials, with the police, fire and ambulance services in talks about how to deal with potential issues following the trial, reports the Mirror.
Government officials have met with RAC representatives as they look to lower the risk of chaos on UK roads as a result of the test as well as potential further emergency alerts in areas across the country.
Edmund King, president of the AA, questioned the decision to test the alert it on a day when “Sunday drivers” – those who are less experienced motorists – take to the roads.
“If they have the phone in the car and an odd sound goes off there could be some form of panic,” he said.
“Even with a hands-free system, the odd sound could mean they reach for the phone. So there’s no doubt there’s a a threat of distraction for some drivers.”
Ahead of the test on April 23, motorway signs are set to be used to advise drivers not to check phones and devices.
The test alert can be turned off via phone settings, but it is hoped that the majority of people across the country will keep the siren option to allow warnings to be issued in the event of life threatening situation in the future.
The UK is not the first to use emergency sirens, with parts of Europe, America, Canada and Japan also implementing the system in a bid to warn people of things like earthquakes, flooring and wildfires.
The alerts could eventually be used to warn of ongoing terror attacks.
However, UK official have acknowledged the need for more information on these alerts if they were to eventually use the system to warn of such attacks.
On April 23, people will not be required to take any action but instead just hit the OK button on their devices to acknowledge the test if they want to continue using their phone like normal.
The Cabinet Office said that the system will provide a secure and free way to issue warning quickly across the country or in local areas under threat.
The emergency siren will not require or reveal anyone's location or personal data, with tests having already been carried out in East Suffolk and Reading.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
