Skip to main content

Lyca Mobile Emergency Alert FAQs

What should I do if I receive a message while driving?

You MUST NOT hold a mobile phone while driving or riding a motorcycle. It is illegal to do so. You must have hands-free access such as voice command, a dashboard holder or mat, or a windscreen mount and the device must not block the driver’s view of the road or the traffic. You should not read or otherwise respond to an emergency alert whilst driving or riding a motorcycle.

Please be aware, the alert will appear on your device for 20 seconds and you will hear a loud siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds; if you are driving, you should continue to drive and not respond to the noise or attempt to pick up the mobile phone and deal with the message. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message. If there is nowhere safe or legal to stop close by, and nobody else in the vehicle to read the alert, tune into live radio and wait for bulletins until you can find somewhere safe and legal to stop.

You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. The police can stop you if they think you are not in control because you are distracted, and you can be prosecuted. The law still applies if you are stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic or supervising a learner driver. You can, however, use a hand-held mobile phone if either you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency, and it is unsafe or impractical to stop.

Is this helpful?

Find more related answers to

What are Emergency Alerts?

What do the messages look like?

What should I do when I receive an Emergency Alert?

Why are the Government not using SMS?

Is my privacy and security protected?

Will alerts sent to my mobile phone tell authorities where I am or be used to gather data about me?

Will all the Mobile Networks provide Emergency Alerts?

Do I need to download an app?

Is it used elsewhere?

Will Emergency Alerts be available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Is there a charge to receive an Emergency Alert?

Will this new service affect my battery life?

Can I reply to an Emergency Alert?

What should I do if I receive a message while driving?

What languages will messages be broadcast in?

How many people will it reach?

Will Emergency Alerts work on all devices?

Do I need to update my phone to receive Emergency Alerts?

How do I check if my handset is compatible?

What if my phone can't receive Emergency Alerts?

Does it matter what network my phone is on?

Are you using all the network types, like 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G?

What sort of Emergency Alert might I receive?

How frequently might I get them?

Can I opt out?

If I'm on a call or using my phone, like watching a video or using Facebook when an Emergency Alert is sent, will I receive it?

Will I receive a message if I am using my phone as a sat-nav system?

I am visually or hearing impaired, will I know when I receive an Emergency Alert?

Will this new service disadvantage some individuals or groups?

How will I know that the alert is genuine and not a scam to get me to do something (i.e. leave my house for my own 'personal safety')?

Can I trust the phone numbers and website links in the messages?

What time will Emergency Alerts arrive?

What happens if my device is in airplane mode, turned off or out of battery?

Will my iPad or 4G enabled tablet receive the messages?

Where has my Emergency Alert gone?

What should I do if I keep getting the same Alert?

Why don't you text me instead?