Drivers are being told not to handle their phones at 3pm next weekend, or they could end up facing six points and a £200 fine. The warning comes as the government will trial its second emergency alert system on Sunday, September 7, with a loud, siren-like sound coming from phones and tablets.
Motorists have been warned not to respond to the distraction if they’re driving during the 10-second test. Graham Conway, from UK vehicle leasing company Select Car Leasing, is reminding people about the alert next month and the importance of not touching your phone while driving, reports Wales Online.
He said: “The government’s emergency alert system is a vital tool in letting people know if there is a life-threatening danger nearby. It’s important that tests are carried out to ensure the system works as it should.
“But the rules of the road still stand. Motorists who are driving at the time of the test, at 3pm next Sunday, should not read or respond to the alert as it’s illegal to use a mobile while driving. Being caught using a hand-held device when behind the wheel could mean a fine of £200 and six points on your licence.”
Roughly three million people across Wales and south‐west England received the first message, which warned them of dangerous and potentially life‐threatening conditions. The second of its kind will happen in a few days.
On September 7, during the nationwide test, mobile phones will vibrate and produce a loud siren-like sound for a duration of up to ten seconds. A test message will appear on screens, clearly indicating that the alert is merely a trial run. Mobile devices connected to 4G and 5G networks will receive this notification.
The system is designed to warn people if there is a life-threatening emergency in their area, such as severe weather conditions. Sunday’s message will read: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare.”
The government recommends drivers find a safe and legal place to stop before reading the notification. This represents the second occasion the national alert system will be tested, following a similar deployment in 2023.
Mr Conway added: “Being distracted by a mobile phone while you’re driving dramatically impacts your reaction time and can increase your risk of a crash. This isn’t just about points and fines – it’s about preventing avoidable tragedies. Keep all phones out of sight and reach before you start your engine to keep distractions to a minimum.”
Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “On Sunday 7 September at around 3pm, mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks across Wales and the whole of the UK will vibrate and emit a loud siren-like sound for up to ten seconds, marking one of the biggest public safety exercises in our nation’s history.
“There’s no app or sign-up, just a life‐saving alert when it matters. This UK‐wide test will help ensure it works as it should when we need it. We used the system during Storm Darragh to alert around three million phones when there was a red weather warning meaning lives were at risk.”
Since the first national test of the Emergency Alerts system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms when lives were at risk. The largest ever use of the system saw approximately 4.5 million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland receive an alert during Storm Éowyn in January 2025, after a red weather warning was issued, meaning there was a risk to life.
What is illegal to do:
- Holding and using a phone for any reason, including taking photos, texting, browsing the web, or playing games.
- Using a phone for calls, even with hands-free, if you are not in proper control of the vehicle.
- Touching a phone while driving, even if it is in a mount.
When it is permitted:
- Using a hands-free device, such as Bluetooth or a cradle-mounted device, for navigation or music.
- Making a 999 or 112 emergency call in a situation where it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.
The repercussions of unlawful usage can involve a £200 fine, six penalty points on your license, and increased insurance costs. Additionally, if you are a new driver and accumulate six penalty points within two years of obtaining your license, you could lose it. Furthermore, there is the possibility of facing prosecution, a hefty fine, and even up to two years in prison for careless or dangerous driving caused by distraction.
