Published on May 10, 2022
Drivers in the City of Maricopa can now receive real-time digital alerts when fire apparatus are active nearby through a new service equipped on City of Maricopa Fire/Medical Department apparatus. Safety Cloud by HAAS Alert protects first responders and roadway fleets and improves driver compliance with Move Over laws by sending real-time notifications to drivers approaching active responders en-route or on-scene. The service reduces the risk of drivers colliding with responders and workers in the field and improves awareness for all drivers by adding a digital component to lights and sirens.
Drivers can receive the alerts through the navigation apps Waze and Apple Maps, available on mobile devices and in the dashboard of many newer-model vehicles. Safety Cloud also recently expanded to over 4 million vehicles through a partnership with global automaker Stellantis. Drivers of 2018 and newer models of Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Alfa Romeo vehicles will receive Safety Cloud alerts through the new EVAS (Emergency Vehicle Alert System) feature. HAAS Alert is continuing to work on expanding the alerts to other services and vehicles so that all drivers can receive these critical road safety alerts.
Even though Arizona’s Move Over laws require drivers to slow down and move one lane over when approaching active emergency vehicles, many drivers still react slowly or fail to move over. Safety Cloud alerts give drivers up to 30 seconds of advance warning to help solve this problem.
“We’re excited to add another level of protection for our firefighters in order to make sure they are able to do their jobs as safely as possible,” said Interim Fire Chief Brad Pitassi. "This service connects and protects our crews in the field and the drivers around them by giving motorists extra time to see us, slow down, and move over safely. Apple Maps and Waze are free-to-use apps, so we encourage drivers to get advanced warning of our presence when we’re actively responding.”
For more information on HAAS Alert, visit www.haasalert.com.