A common inexpensive device such as an automotive internal
rear view mirror,
cell phone, or CHMBL (center high mounted
brake light) incorporates an emergency
warning system to detect a predefined
signal emitted by an right of way vehicle such as an ambulance, police car, fire engine, or
train. The right of way vehicle sends out a specific predefined
signal to a predefined area. The specific predefined
signal is picked up by a
receiver of the present emergency
warning system, which is preferably housed in a
rear view mirror or
cell phone, and which is always on, whether the internal
rear view mirror,
cell phone, or CHMBL is powered on or powered off. Then, after
verification of the specific predefined signal, the internal rear view mirror, cell phone or CHMBL emits a warning, preferably an audio warning from a speaker housed in the internal rear view mirror, cell phone, or CHMBL. The emergency
warning system can be incorporated into a
telematics unit.