Drivers are being warned not to check their phones while they are behind the wheel ahead of an emergency siren. The alert will be sent to everyone's mobile on Sunday, April 23.
It's feared the Government plan could cause issues on roads as drivers become startled, ministers have been told. The siren and message will flash up on people's screens, with phones locked until they acknowledge the warning.
Discussions are now taking place with the transport sector, domestic violence charities and sporting officials as well as the police, fire and ambulance services about the trial. Government officials have met with the RAC to discuss how to mitigate crashes as a result of the alerts, the Mirror reports.
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Edmund King, president of the AA, is questioning the decision to test the alert it on a day when “Sunday drivers” – 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.”
Motorway signs will also be used in the lead-up to the test to advise drivers not to check or use their phones. People are able to turn off the alerts within their phone's settings, but it is hoped the benefit of being warned about a life-threatening situation will mean most keep them on.
The alerts have been used in parts of Europe, the US, Canada and Japan and alert people to earthquakes, flooding and wildfires, and could eventually warn of ongoing terror attacks. Officials have acknowledged however that much more information about how the alerts system operates in the UK would be needed before that could happen in response to a fast-moving attack.
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