Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Author Topic: Accidental emergency service calls  (Read 2302 times)

Description:

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline that_punk_guyTopic starter

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2002
  • Posts: 4526
    • Show only replies by that_punk_guy
Accidental emergency service calls
« on: April 25, 2004, 05:48:56 PM »
I habitually keep my mobile phone keypad locked, but nevertheless in the past I have accidentally dialed 999 on numerous occasions. Freak occurance? Perhaps.

Only today, I picked up my phone and the numbers 999 were on the screen... but the keypad was still locked! The select button is context sensitive, which makes it impossible to input the numbers and then lock the keypad...

I'm convinced something strange is going on.
 

Offline KennyR

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2002
  • Posts: 8081
    • Show only replies by KennyR
    • http://wrongpla.net
Re: Accidental emergency service calls
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2004, 06:34:42 PM »
Well, using Occam's Razor (and discarding the supernatural and the unlikely, like mobile phone trojans), there is really only a few ways this could have happened. Either the console was not properly locked, or the console locking is buggy and gives way after a long time pressing it. The first is more likely, or you'd have 99999999999 on the phone.

Mobiles phoning 999 is a big problem in the UK, you'll know that. It's the number that gets pressed the most when a phone is placed in a bag or pocket, because of where it is. I thought that new phones came with extra protection for accidental pressing of the 9 digit.

It may seem unlikely that any phone could spontaneously phone 999. But according to the emergency services exchanges, thousands do. Maybe because it's 666 upside-down? :)
 

Offline Matt_H

Re: Accidental emergency service calls
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2004, 10:08:28 PM »
The standard-issue phones on my college campus have the "Emergency" button right next to the "Voice Mail" button. That's caused a few problems.:-D
 

Offline sumner7

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2003
  • Posts: 1172
    • Show only replies by sumner7
Re: Accidental emergency service calls
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2004, 10:15:50 PM »
On my phone, I have the number for Aaaxi Dent, which means I won't waste money ringing anyone else really if my phone goes onto the phone book when it is unlocked.

I had to replace my phone last week for the 2nd time since I have had that particular model. If it happens again, I'll be getting a different phone.

BTW, it's a Nokia 3510i, if you were wondering!
 

Offline AccyD

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2003
  • Posts: 421
    • Show only replies by AccyD
Re: Accidental emergency service calls
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2004, 10:45:01 PM »
Wasn't there talk about having an automated message ask you to press 1 or something to stop all of those mis-intended 999 calls?

Only problem being, if the phone is locked and will only let you dial 999 for emergencys does this block stop once the call is connected??

Another crazy thing is I once had to dial 999 on the motorway to report a crash and the system confirmed my number to the operator, who then asked me to confirm it, and then when I was transferred to the right emergency service I had to repeat it again !!! Absolutely crazy practice !!