Road users travelling through Donegal advised of UK Emergency Alert Test

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users who may be travelling in border counties to be aware of a test of the UK Emergency Alert system taking place on Sunday, September 7.

On that afternoon, a test message will be sent to all mobile phones and devices across Britain and Northern Ireland. While customers on mobile networks based in Ireland will not receive the message, those near border areas who roam onto a UK network during this time may receive the alert.

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As part of the test, phones will emit a loud, siren-like sound, vibrate distinctly, and display a message on the home screen until it is acknowledged. The system, launched in March 2023 and first tested the following month, enables the UK Government to issue alerts in emergencies such as extreme weather events where lives may be at risk.

The public does not need to take any action. Road users, however, are reminded not to be alarmed if they receive the alert while travelling. They should not attempt to read or respond to the message while driving or riding a motorcycle. Instead, drivers should continue to drive normally and ignore the sound until it stops. The RSA also reiterates that mobile phones should never be used while driving and advises motorists to switch them off, put them in airplane mode, set them to silent, or keep them out of sight.