WHITE COUNTY, Tenn. (WSMV) – White County has become the first county in Tennessee to use technology that alerts drivers when police or emergency vehicles are nearby.
The White County Sheriff’s Office spent about $13,000 to equip all patrol cars with the new technology. Drivers who download the free “Digital Siren” app or use Google Maps receive alerts when near an active emergency or police pursuit.
“White County citizens now have another step, another tool, if you will, if they will download the app, to help them know that something’s going on,” said Sheriff Steve Page.
The system works through a free smartphone app called Digital Siren. Users download the app and allow it to send notifications. When driving in White County, the app sends voice alerts about nearby emergency vehicles.
On top of that it can alert about reckless or DUI drivers, traffic hazards, missing children or elderly individuals, flooded roadways, severe weather and road closures.
“I think a lot of lives could have been saved through the years if we’d had this as soon as cell phones came out,” Page said.
Page said a dump truck driver called to express appreciation for the system.
“He loved this. He said, this is great because a lot of times we can’t hear the sirens and we don’t see y’all until you’re right upon us,” Page said.
The concern we heard was about the app being hands-free, which it is. Drivers don’t need to look at or touch their phones to receive the warnings, they’re through audio.
“You do not have to touch your phone. It’s just going to alert you and it will start talking to you and telling you what’s going on. That there’s emergency traffic within a mile of you. The goal is safety — safety first,” Page said.
Currently, the app only works in White County, but officials hope to inspire other departments across Tennessee to adopt similar technology.
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