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European emergency responders could soon find it easier to move through traffic as connected vehicle alerts roll out to more drivers, following a major expansion by HAAS Alert and Czech automaker Škoda Auto.
The companies announced that Škoda vehicles across additional European markets will begin receiving real-time Emergency Vehicle Alerts through the manufacturer’s Traffication in-car service, powered by HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud vehicle-to-everything (V2X) platform. The move builds on deployments launched in the UK and the Netherlands in 2025 and is designed to improve emergency response times and road safety by warning drivers when first responders are approaching.
Real-time alerts aimed at faster emergency response
Under the system, emergency vehicles with activated warning lights transmit their position and direction of travel to Safety Cloud. The platform then relays this information to nearby connected Škoda vehicles, which display alerts on the infotainment system via the Traffication app.
The goal is to give drivers advance notice to slow down, change lanes or yield earlier—reducing delays for ambulances, police, and fire services.
Gareth Evans, EMEA Director of Strategy and Business Development, HAAS Alert, said: “Emergency service agencies and transport authorities in the UK and Netherlands have responded overwhelmingly positively to Škoda’s Traffication safety alerts.
“Showing emergency responders, roadside assistance providers, and road work contractors how quickly the Traffication alerts appear in the vehicle’s infotainment screen demonstrates the safety benefits of Safety Cloud and its automotive partners.”
For emergency responders, even small reductions in congestion can have a measurable impact. Earlier warnings can shorten response times, reduce collision risks around incident scenes, and improve overall safety for crews working roadside.
The alerts operate automatically in the background once vehicles are connected and enrolled in Škoda Connect services, requiring no driver interaction unless a relevant hazard is detected on the driver’s route.
Supporting safer roadside operations
While emergency vehicles are the headline use case, the platform is also designed to support roadside assistance providers, road work crews, and drivers stopped due to breakdowns—groups that face elevated risks when operating on active roadways.
Connected warning systems can help mitigate so-called “secondary incidents,” where inattentive drivers collide with responders or roadside workers. These incidents are a persistent safety concern across Europe, where thousands of emergency personnel are injured or killed in traffic-related incidents each year.
By extending alerts across borders, agencies operating near national boundaries may also see improved coordination with foreign-registered vehicles equipped with the service.
Scaling a connected safety network
HAAS Alert said its Safety Cloud network already includes emergency service fleets in 13 European countries, with plans to reach all European markets by the end of 2026. As more agencies connect, the density and usefulness of alerts are expected to increase.
Michal Vondra, Product Manager responsible for Traffication at Škoda Auto, said: “After seeing the success of our UK and Netherlands launches last year, we want to bring these important connected safety features to more of our drivers in additional countries.
“Our collaboration with HAAS Alert enables us to expand Traffication’s offering in more countries faster… Scaling quickly is important to meet the needs of our customers.”
Škoda’s Traffication app has been highlighted as relevant to Euro NCAP safety criteria, reflecting growing emphasis on connected safety features in vehicle ratings.
What it means for emergency services
For emergency services leaders, the expansion signals a shift toward connected-vehicle ecosystems where vehicles, infrastructure and responders share live information.
Potential benefits include:
- Reduced response times through earlier driver awareness
- Improved responder safety at incident scenes
- Better traffic management during major incidents
- Cross-border interoperability in connected fleets
However, adoption will depend on agency participation, fleet connectivity, and public awareness of how to react to alerts.
Growing role of V2X in public safety
The rollout reflects a broader trend toward V2X technology in emergency services, as agencies explore digital tools to complement sirens, lights and traditional traffic management.
As connected vehicles become more common, systems like Safety Cloud could form part of an integrated emergency response infrastructure—helping responders move more quickly and safely through increasingly congested roads.
For emergency services organisations, the next challenge may be deciding how quickly to connect their fleets to these networks—and how to train drivers to respond effectively when alerts appear.
See HAAS Alert at The Emergency Services Show 2026
Emergency services professionals interested in learning more about Safety Cloud and connected vehicle alerting can meet the HAAS Alert team at this year’s The Emergency Services Show, co-located with The Emergency Tech Show, where the company will be exhibiting and demonstrating its technology. Find them on Stand B52.
