Nearby ambulance alerts integrated into South-East Coast navigation systems
The digital alert system lets drivers know when an emergency vehicle is approaching
Digital alerts for nearby emergency vehicles have been integrated into phone navigation systems, such as Waze and Apple Maps, across the South-East Coast.
Following a successful trial, the alert system has been installed across South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) fleet in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and North Hampshire.
The alert system sends a notification to compatible devices such as smart phones or vehicle navigation systems.
Currently, it has been adopted by Apple Maps and Waze navigation systems, not Google Maps.
The alerts will also appear on the in-built infotainment systems for Stellantis Europe cars, such as Fiat, Opel, Peugeot, and Vauxhall. Skoda and OEM Manufacturers have also recently adopted the system.
Robert Martin, fleet services manager at SECAmb, says the system hopes to" help ambulance crews get to incidents as quickly as possible and allow drivers more time to get to the side of the road safely.
He tells Greatest Hits and Hits Radio:
"Drivers can receive the alerts, potentially in advance of seeing or hearing a vehicle’s blue lights and sirens without the need to sign up or download anything.
"In infotainment systems, the alert would interrupt the radio system and give a real-time alert of an approaching emergency vehicle.
"Alerts will become available through new compatible vehicles as they come to the market.
"With Apple Maps or Waze, so long as you're running the app, you'll get a little icon pop up to say the ambulance is in the vicinity."
With ambulances responding to thousands of calls every year, the alert system aims to help make our roads safer, reduce conveyance times, and allowing drivers to plan alternative routes to avoid emergency incidents.
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