Motorists are being warned to take special precautions if they’re planning to drive tomorrow (Sunday 7 September) afternoon, else they could face a hefty fine and points on their licence.
The AA and insurance comparison site Confused.com have both urged caution to road users to take extra measures to prevent them from being startled behind the wheel.
At 3pm tomorrow, the Government will conduct another national test of its Emergency Alerts system, with phones up and down the country letting out a piercing siren-like sound and vibrating for 10 seconds.
This will impact any user with a device that is 4G and 5G compatible, with tablets also impacted.
The AA has recommended that drivers familiarise themselves with the alert sound and vibration to avoid being unsettled by the sharp alarm when they’re trying to concentrate on the road on Sunday.
And Confused says it is vital that drivers don’t attempt to pick up or check their phone when the siren sounds, as it could land them with a £200 fine and six points on their licence.
But for those who feat it will distract them, there is a way to opt out of the alert entirely…
At 3pm tomorrow, the Government will conduct another national test of its Emergency Alerts system. Drivers have been told to familiarise themselves with the sound beforehand, not pick up their devices when it goes off, or deactivate it entirely
The AA says drivers must be aware that they do not need to take any action during the test – just acknowledge the message when it’s safe to do so.
This test is part of a nationwide effort to ensure the system works effectively in real emergencies, such as extreme storms or wildfires.
The system has already been used effectively five times in real life and tested nationally once before.
Edmund King, AA president, said: ‘We support the testing of the Emergency Alerts system, which is an important tool the government uses to keep people safe in a crisis.
‘On the day, drivers should simply stay calm and focus on the road. As always, only check your phone when you’re parked safely with the engine turned off.’
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for supporting the delivery of the government’s strategic priorities, added: ‘Over eight million people have already safely received Emergency Alerts in real life scenarios, including floods and extreme storms.
‘Emergency Alerts help us deliver lifesaving advice in an emergency, which is why it’s so important we test the system, to make sure we can keep the country safe when lives are on the line.’
With phones up and down the country tomorrow letting out a piercing siren-like sound and vibrating for 10 seconds, motoring groups are concerned it could startle motorists who are unaware it is happening, or have forgotten the test is taking place
Tube stations have provided warning signs for underground users regarding the warning alert coming tomorrow afternoon
For those who fear that the emergency alert will compromise their safety while driving, the government does allow people to opt out entirely – and it barely takes a minute.
A dedicated webpage explains how to do this using different devices.
If on an iPhone, opt out by going to ‘settings’ and selecting the ‘notifications’ menu, then scroll to the bottom and turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
If on an Android device, search your device settings for ’emergency alerts’ and then turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
The government webpage says people should contact their device manufacturer for help if they are still getting alerts after opting out.
Also, depending on the manufacturer and software version of your phone, emergency alerts settings may be called different names.
These might include ‘wireless emergency alerts’ or ’emergency broadcasts’.
For those who fear that the emergency alert will compromise their safety while driving, the government does allow people to opt out entirely – and it barely takes a minute. A dedicated webpage explains how to do this using different devices
Rhydian Jones, Confused.com car insurance expert says that while the 10-second alert might be distracting, the safest thing to do is ‘keep your phone out of reach and focus on driving’ to avoid the temptation to pick it up, which – if detected by one of the latest roadside cameras or by police – could result in a £200 fine and points on their licence.
He explained: ‘If you’re worried about it sounding during your journey, it’s a good idea to pull over safely if you can just before 3pm and wait until the drill has passed.
‘This isn’t just about avoiding fines, it’s about keeping yourself and others safe.
‘Even a quick glance could be enough to take your eyes off the road and cause a serious accident.
‘And if you’re unsure about the rules, our guide on using your phone while driving can help clear up what you can and can’t do when it comes to devices behind the wheel.’
Sunday will be the first time that the Emergency Alerts System has been tested in two years, following the system’s launch in April 2023.
