Cell phones and driving don't mix, but emergency services in Stratford may have found a way to change that.
A report outlining a potential trial for the “MySyren” smartphone application was received by Perth County council Thursday.
“MySyren” is a pre-warning system that alerts drivers to the approach of emergency service vehicles. The app will play an audible warning through the vehicle's speakers using the standard Bluetooth connection.
Emergency Services director, Linda Rockwood explains that the idea is part of a broader program. "Somewhere you have to trial it and you have to get it started you have to work the bugs out of it and so it’s a good opportunity. The other thing is is that you have people coming from all over Ontario, actually all over the world essentially, and some people might see it and go yeah it’s a really good app and take it back somewhere else and then get much more exposure. This project is tied to Stratford’s smart city initiative and the fact that they want to have vehicles that are hands free."
The system has already been tested in Belleville with positive public feedback but it had a lukewarm reception from Perth County council based on the cost and the scope of the trial.