Apple Advises Not to End Accidental Crash Detection Calls Abruptly to Ensure Timely Emergency Services Response

Apple debuted a Collision Detection feature with the iPhone 14 models that will immediately alert emergency services in the event of a collision. Although Crash Detection has already saved lives, many complaints have been about the feature inadvertently activating in ski resorts, theme parks, and other non-emergency high-activity environments.

Apple has added Crash Detection enhancements to reduce false calls in recent iOS 16 upgrades. Those who unintentionally activate the crash detection feature can now take advantage of new advice from the company. Apple advises customers to tell the emergency responder that assistance is not needed if an accidental call is placed rather than hanging up in an updated Crash Detection support document.

Don’t hang up if the call has been placed but you don’t require emergency assistance. Wait for a response, then say that you don’t require assistance.

Apple also deleted a paragraph from the support article that advised customers to end a call while the timer was running. The quote taken from the document said, “If you don’t need to call emergency services, tap Cancel and affirm that you don’t require emergency services.”

Users should dismiss an alert and advise the Crash Detection support website if possible. Apple, nonetheless, is trying to prevent iPhone users from ending or canceling an emergency call that has already begun, leaving emergency personnel in the dark.

The quantity of unintentional calls from Crash Detection has particularly infuriated emergency dispatchers near ski slopes. Falls while skiing or snowboarding can activate Crash Detector. Because of the bulky apparel is worn for these activities, users of iPhones and Apple Watches occasionally fail to detect when an emergency call has been made.

For instance, 185 unintentional Crash Detection calls were made in Colorado’s Summit County in a single week in January, consuming time and resources that could have been used for real emergencies. Trina Dummer, director of emergency services for Summit County, warned that the scenario could “desensitize dispatchers and distract scarce resources from genuine crises” February.

In response, Apple dispatched four people to Summit County to monitor the emergency call center. Afterward, more improvements were made.

The most recent Apple Watch and iPhone 14 models come with crash detection. It may identify a serious traffic accident using sensors like the accelerometer and gyroscope. If a user does not respond to an alarm within 20 seconds, it will instantly notify emergency services.