Drivers warned over emergency 'armageddon alert' due to be blasted through phones this month
The government has been warned that drivers might be ever so slightly startled by the upcoming 'armageddon alarm' test and it could be quite dangerous.
The UK will be getting a taste of the emergency danger alert the government is developing to warn people of a 'danger to life' later on this month.
Introducing this alert has been over a decade in the making and when it comes it'll see people's phones flash and set off very loud noises even if your device is on silent.
It's supposed to warn people of dangerous weather events such as flooding, with government ministers hoping this will help get the message out to everyone far quicker than before.
However, motoring experts have sounded a warning of their own that perhaps someone's phone blasting out an alarming noise while aforementioned phone's owner is behind the wheel of a car might not be the best idea.
The alarm is due for testing on 23 April, with the 10 second sound blast coming in the evening, with that time chosen in part because it is expected to be less busy on the roads than normal.
However, there are concerns from experts that the alarm could increase the risk of crashes on the roads as drivers having their ears assaulted by a loud noise that goes away if you use your phone carries some obvious risks.
According to The Sun, AA president Edmund King is worried that at the time the alarm goes off the roads will have plenty of less experienced 'Sunday drivers' who are taking advantage of the quieter time to become better acquainted with driving.
King warned that there 'could be some form of panic' which could lead to 'a threat of distraction for some drivers', and distractions can lead to crashes.
This 'armageddon alarm' will be less alarming if people know it's coming in advance, so motorway signs might be used ahead of the test to remind drivers not to use their phones.
Fortunately, people who know they'll be in the car for that time have the option of turning off the alert by digging around in their phone settings and declining the option to receive the blasting noise.
If you've got an iPhone then you should head to your Notifications settings and switch off both 'Extreme Alerts' and 'Severe Alerts'.
Android users have it even easier as they merely need to flip off 'Wireless Emergency Alerts' in their Notifications Settings.
That being said, there is a reason this app is being introduced and if you want to know about imminent danger once the 23 April test has passed, you should probably flip those emergency alert settings back on.
Joe Harker