Advice to drivers ahead of nationwide emergency phone alert test
The AA has issued advice to drivers ahead of this weekend’s nationwide phone alert test.
A loud emergency alert will sound on mobile phones on Sunday 7 September at 3pm. The system is designed to provide urgent safety advice during life-threatening situations.
All phones and tablets connected to 4G and 5G networks will vibrate and emit a siren-like sound for up to ten seconds, with a message appearing on the screen confirming the test. This sill happen even if your device is set to silent.
The exercise follows the use of the system during Storm Darragh in December 2024, when a red weather warning was issued.
Ahead of this weekend’s alert, the AA is urging drivers to familiarise themselves with the alert sound and vibration, and not to interact with the message until stopped in a safe place with the engine switched off.
You don’t need to take any action during the test – just acknowledge the message when it’s safe to do so: be aware, stay safe, and help spread the word.
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, said: Over 8 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.
Ahead of the test, a public information campaign is running to notify people, including targeted communications for vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic abuse. The campaign has featured the first national information video in British Sign Language.
The full test message has also been published, making clear it is a drill and directing people to GOV.UK/PREPARE for advice on preparing for emergencies.
This will be the second national test of the system, which the government has committed to run regularly. Similar alert systems are already used in countries such as Japan and the USA.
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