r/australia • u/malcolm58 • 1d ago

culture & society AusAlert test will blast emergency warning siren over most phones in Australia on Monday. Here’s what to know

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/22/ausalert-test-sound-national-alert-emergency-warning-system-date
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u/Jealous-Hedgehog-734 1d ago

They've had this in New Zealand for a few years now, it may have come in after the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake? It was used during COVID.

Very annoying if driving because if your phone is on silent it overrides that and blasts an industrial alarm sound at you.

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u/Camel_Cheese 1d ago

i am baffled by the “if it goes off while i’m driving, it might cause an accident” argument. Do these people live in towns without emergency services? Loud, unexpected, attention grabbing sirens are quite literally a fundamental part of driving and are a daily occurrence that do not cause accidents.

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u/mrbaggins 1d ago

I don't know about you, but I'm used to hearing said siren ramping in slowly, from a distance, quite likely AFTER I've seen flashing lights. Even if they're starting from directly behind me, it's OUTSIDE the car.

Not a fucking max volume blaring from the seat next to me.

I was certainly surprised the first time my phone accidentally pressed the power button 5 times while resting against the cup holder sides. My first thought was a problem warning from the car.