Road safety expert Sarah Jenkins from My Car Reg Check urges motorists to “ignore the siren and keep driving safely” as nationwide phone alarm test is scheduled for TOMORROW – Sunday 7 September at 3pm.
On Sunday 7 September at 3pm, millions of phones across the UK will emit a loud, siren-like tone and vibrate as part of a Government Emergency Alert test. The system is designed to warn the public of life-threatening situations, such as severe flooding or wildfires.
But road safety expert Sarah Jenkins, from My Car Reg Check, is warning motorists that the test could catch drivers off guard — and that touching a phone during the alert could lead to hefty fines and penalty points.
What drivers need to know
Do not touch your phone while driving. The alarm may be startling, but it is illegal to handle a mobile device at the wheel for any reason, including dismissing alerts.
Penalties are severe. Drivers caught using a phone face a £200 fine and 6 penalty points. For new drivers, this means automatic licence revocation. In court, fines can rise to £1,000 for cars and £2,500 for lorries or buses, with possible disqualification.
Applies even when stationary. The law still applies if you are at traffic lights or in congestion. Only genuine 999/112 emergency calls where it’s unsafe or impractical to stop are exempt.
Sarah Jenkins, Road Safety Specialist at My Car Reg Check, said: “Emergency Alerts are there to save lives — but behind the wheel, the safest response is no response.
“If you hear the siren, keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Don’t risk a fine, points, or worse, an accident. Wait until you’re parked safely with the engine off before checking your device.”
Can you turn the alerts off?
Yes, but you should decide in advance.
On iPhone: Settings → Notifications → scroll down → toggle off Severe Alerts and Extreme Alerts.
On Android: Settings → search Emergency Alerts (or Wireless emergency alerts) → toggle off Severe Alerts and Extreme Alerts.
Note: Alerts are intended for serious emergencies. Before switching them off, consider whether opting out could put you at risk of missing vital warnings.
Safety checklist for 7 September
- Expect the alarm at 3pm – stay calm and don’t touch the phone.
- If using satnav, ensure your device is mounted legally and set before moving off.
- Passengers can dismiss it – but the driver must not.
- If startled, pull over safely, park and switch off the engine before interacting with your device.
- New drivers – remember six points within two years means your licence is gone.
