Drivers warned they could face £1,000 fine during UK emergency alert this weekend

Motorists have been warned not to react to the Government's emergency alert if they are driving when the nationwide test sounds at the weekend.

Every mobile phone across the UK will buzz at 3pm on Sunday, September 7, with the warning as part of a government trial that "could save people's lives".

It follows similar systems in nations such as the US and Japan and will eventually alert the public during life-threatening emergencies, including severe floods, wildfires and extreme storms.

However, countless driversmay be on the road when it activates and have been cautioned to disregard it, or risk a penalty and six points on their licence.

The government's guidance states: "When you get an alert, stop what you’re doing and follow the instructions in the alert."

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Advising: "Do not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding.

"Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message.

"If there’s nowhere safe and legal to stop, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, you can listen to news on live radio to find out about the emergency.

"It’s illegal to use a hand-held device while driving or riding."

James Armstrong, CEO of temporary car insurance provider Veygo, previously cautioned drivers against turning off the alert while driving to prevent endangering themselves and fellow road users.

The Highway Code clearly states that it's against the law to use a hand-held device (phone, Sat Nav, tablet, or device) while driving.

This includes holding a phone, sending a text, making a call, taking photos or videos, or browsing the internet.

These rules still apply even when you're stationary at traffic lights, stuck in traffic, supervising a learner driver, in flight mode, or controlling a vehicle with a stop-start motor.

If you manually switch off a notification, you could be breaching rule 149.

This could see a police officer stop you, fine you £200, give you up to six penalty points, and potentially even take you to court, where you could be banned from driving or fined up to £1,000.

Instead, when it is safe, find a legal place to stop your car before reading the message, or if possible, ask a passenger to clear the notification for you.

You can opt out by searching for emergency alerts in settings and turning off 'severe alerts' or 'extreme alerts'.

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